Steve Evans believes Danny Forrest is capable of replacing one of the best strikers in Crawley’s recent history.

Forrest made it three goals in three games with a second-half double in last Saturday’s 3-1 win over York.

The 25-year-old has justified Evans’ decision to give him an extended run in the position which Forrest, who has played in either midfield or rightback since joining Reds last season, claims is his best.

That goals-to-games ratio is better than Jamie Cook, who scored 39 in 90 games before joining leaders Oxford United in September.

Evans has been looking for a replacement ever since Cook departed although he might not have expected to find him from within his own squad.

He said: “A month ago Danny’s performances didn’t warrant a place in the side and he was one of several players who was told he had to up their performance levels.

“If that’s the way he responds I’m going to drag him in again and tell him that it’s not good enough, he needs six goals in four!”

Evans has tried his four front-runners in different combinations this season but may have come up with the best blend after Calum Willock came on at half-time against York to partner Forrest.

Evans added: “We signed Danny at the start of last season with the intention of playing him up front but we had Cook and Jon-Paul Pittman.

“We made a decision to give Danny a run of four or five games as a striker last month.

“We told him to go out and just play and enjoy it.

“Danny is a worrier and takes things to heart – he’s the sort of boy who analyses why a spider landed on his shoulder last Monday night.

“But he is honest and full of endeavour. I’m delighted for him because Danny is the type of individual we want here.

“He deserves enormous credit for his second-half performance on Saturday. He didn’t have the best of first halfs and was nearly sitting beside me in the stand but he proved me wrong.

“He produced two great finishes, reminiscent of Cooky. That’s three goals in three games but we have told him with the chances he’s getting on the end of he should score more.”

Financial constraints mean Evans is unlikely to be able to add to his forward line, at least for for the time being.

Evans added: “Obviously Jamie is a player we didn’t want to lose but we have to be mindful of the budgets despite the huge monies put in by (directors) Tom Scott, Bruce Winfield and Susan Carter.”

With no game this Saturday Reds expect to have a full squad to chose from by the time they entertain Mansfield on November 14.

Evans said: “If I can add Karl Broadhurst (calf), Sam Rents (ankle) and Charles Ademeno (knee) to the York side we have so many more positive options. We have been smashed by injuries this season and they are three huge players who have not been involved recently.

“I haven’t been able to play my strongest side all season but hopefully those three will be back for Mansfield. Charlie could have been on the bench on Saturday but I took the decision not to risk him and give him another two weeks for him to get fully fit.”

Ademeno could have a run-out in tonight’s Combination fixture at Eastbourne Borough (7.30pm) while the likes of Louis, Willock, Lewis Killeen and Mikey Malcolm will also be involved.