Crawley captain Josh Simpson has been given the all clear to resume training after a scan showed he does not require surgery.

Simpson has been sidelined since limping out of the 1-0 win at Barnsley on the opening day and will be absent again when Reds take on Fleetwood at home today.

But manager John Gregory is hopeful of having the midfielder available to play some part in Tuesday’s trip to Doncaster Rovers having previously feared he could be sidelined until October.

Gregory said: “The scan didn’t find any other damage in there so it is now down to Josh and Luigi (Cerullo, physio) to step things up.

“He trained yesterday morning and although today’s game might be a little too soon for him there is a possibility he could come with us to Doncaster on Tuesday.

“It is just a question of getting Josh through a couple of training sessions pain-free. He is a naturally fit lad so it won’t take too long to get him back on the field.”

Gregory is also hopeful that Gwion Edwards will be fit to play today after missing the last two games while on duty with Wales Under-21.

The former Swansea winger was forced off after 58 minutes in the 1-1 draw in Lithuania on Tuesday after taking a knock on the ankle but has responded well to treatment.

It means Gregory is almost certain to make at least five changes to the side which was hammered 4-0 at home by Rochdale last week with Edwards and Joe Walsh coming back in alongside loan signings Keith Keane, Josh Wright and Mat Sadler.

Gregory said: “Last weekend was not good enough but we have put that behind us now and moved on.

“That is in the past. We can’t do anything about it now but what we can do is make sure we go out today and produce a performance we and the fans can be proud of.

“We need a win and with the options I now have available I am expecting us to go out there and get one, no matter how it comes.

“The Rochdale game was a game too far for some of our youngsters but in Keith, Josh and Mat we have three experienced players who know what it takes at this level.”

Fleetwood welcome back right-back Conor McLaughlin from international duty with Northern Ireland but midfielders Jeff Hughes and Keith Southern are still sidelined.

Crawley (4-4-2, probable): Jensen; Oyebanjo, Walsh, Leacock, Sadler; Edwards, Keane, Wright, Dickson; Harrold, McLeod. Subs from: Ashdown, Bradley, Smith, Henderson, Young, Banya, Tomlin, Bawling, O’Connor.

Fleetwood (4-1-2-1-2, probable): Maxwell; McLaughlin, Pond, Jordan, Crainey; Schumacher, Sarcevic, Evans; Morris; Proctor, Dobbie. Subs from: M Hughes, Murdoch, Hogan, Roberts, Andrew, Davies, Blair, Ball, Campbell.