Isaiah Rankin, the player at the centre of Crawley’s points deduction blow, could be sent out on loan.

The former Arsenal striker, who joined Reds in the summer, has been dogged by injuries and has started just three games this season.

His registration was never received by the Conference and on Monday Crawley were docked four points for fielding him as an ineligible player, dropping them out of the play-offs from third to sixth place in the table.

Now boss Steve Evans is considering sending him, fit-again defender Jamie Stevens and youngster Nick Carter on loan to get them some much-needed match practice.

A decision will not be made until after tonight’s FA Trophy fourth round tie at Cambridge United and both are in the squad and expected to be on the bench.

Rankin has recovered from a thigh strain while Stevens is fit again after missing ten games with an ankle ligament problem.

Evans said: “We have been operating with a squad of 16 all season because of long-term injuries although in Isaiah's case it's probably a blessing in disguise because if he'd played in all our games we'd be on minus points!

“He’s a very good player but we haven’t seen him play and that is frustrating for him and me as his manager. Jamie has been fantastic in the last month – he’s back down to the weight he was when he was in the Football League and has worked really hard to get himself fit.

“But these lads need game time now and so I expect I will be circulating their availability in the next few days.”

Reds will give debuts to midfielder Lewis Chalmers and striker Jon Shaw against Cambridge.

Chalmers could replace Thomas Pinault, who is struggling with a back strain, while Shaw will probably come in for Steve Fletcher, who is suffering from a hamstring problem.

Although Shaw, who has signed until the end of the season from Rochdale, regards himself as an old-fashioned centre forward, Evans is convinced he can operate as part of his preferred 4-3-3 formation.

“Absolutely,” he said. “He ripped us apart as part of a three up front for Halifax last season alongside Lewis Killeen and Danny Forrest but Shaw was definitely the catalyst.

“Jon has always given us a problem when he’s played against us. We tried to get him last summer but he had the option of going back into the Football League. At Rochdale he has had a few niggling injuries which stopped him getting a regular place in the side.

“Both guys have been training with us for a week now and they are well up for it. But they are coming into a good squad and from clubs who we would give a game too.”

Crawley will also be without Jamie Cook, whose groin problem is likely to sideline him for another three to four weeks, Killeen and Chris Giles while Forrest is still suspended.

A trip to either Lewes or Havant and Waterlooville await the winners and Evans knows it is going to be a difficult game for his side, who shared four goals with Cambridge in the league in November.

He added: “They are a Football League club in all but name and it is a fantastic place to visit. The points deduction is a blow for us but that won't be the reason if we come up short tonight. If we play to our potential we have a great chance of being in the next round.”

Crawley (from): Rayner, Wilson, Rents, Wright, Quinn, Chalmers, Weatherstone, Bulman, Malcolm, Pittman, Shaw, Fletcher, Pinault, Stevens, Rankin, Nayee.

Cambridge United (from): Potter, Challinor, Bolland, Hatswell, Tonkin, Carden, Farrell, Willmott, Pitt, Holroyd, Beesley, Gleeson, Jardim, Crow, Coulson.