Crawley defender Simon Rusk admits he is happy that he will not have to face his former team-mate Richard Brodie again.

Brodie, 23, joined Reds from York City for a non-league record £275,000 this week and will probably make his debut against Fleetwood at the Broadfield Stadium tomorrow.

Rusk and Brodie were team-mates at KitKat Crescent for 18 months after Rusk joined York in January 2008.

In his first season at Conference level Brodie scored ten league goals, got 15 in 2008-09 and 26 last season including two against Reds.

Rusk said: “It’s a great signing for the club and another show of intent from the owners.

“Brodes is a top striker and I’m glad he is on our side now. When we played against York last season I noticed how much stronger he was, how he had taken a step up physically.

“He was always a handful but you only have to look at his record last season to see how much he improved.

“There is pressure on him because of the fee paid but he’s a good lad and I’m sure he’ll handle it.

“Brodes is a confidence player like most strikers and I hope he comes here full of confidence, gets his first goal quickly and then he will be flying. He’s a good lad too, he will have no trouble fitting into our dressing room.”

Full story in The Argus today