Kyle McFadzean has been ruled out of Crawley's FA Cup clash with Chelmsford City this afternoon as he continues his recovery from a virus.

The defender has been forced off before half-time in the last two games and underwent tests at hospital this week to discover the exact nature of the illness.

The results of those tests have not been made public yet but McFadzean is expected to be sidelined for more than a month.

Claude Davis returns in place of McFadzean after missing the 2-0 defeat at Crewe last weekend due to the birth of his son.

Nathan Byrne pays the price for his poor performance at Crewe by dropping to the bench with David Hunt handed a rare start at right-back.

There is a third change in midfield with Sergio Torres taking over from Mike Jones on the left.

 Charlie Wassmer comes in on the bench while there is also a place for John Akinde with Nicky Ajose not allowed to play by parent club Peterborough.

Crawley (4-4-2): P Jones; Hunt, Connolly, Davis, Sadler; Adams, Akpan, Simpson, Torres; Clarke, Alexander. Subs: Kuipers, Wassmer, Byrne, Walsh, Bulman, M Jones, Akinde.

Chelmsford City (4-3-3): Searle; Brindley, Miller, Haines, Palmer; Cornhill, Rainford, Cook; Simmonds, Slabber, Welsh. Subs: Wootton, Bender, Calver, Corcoran, Edmans, Hamilton, Tann.