Boss John Gregory believes he still has the support of the dressing room as he bids to turn Crawley’s season around.

Gregory questioned his own ability to get the best of his players following the 1-1 draw with Crewe 12 days ago but subsequently dismissed his comments as an emotional outburst.

Reds have bowed out of both the FA Cup and JP Trophy since but Gregory saw evidence for optimism during the clash with Gillingham at the Checkatrade.com Stadium on Tuesday night despite going down 2-1 to ten men.

Gregory said: “I feel better now than I did ten days ago. I feel much better because then I was a bit insulted by my players as I felt they had hung me out to dry a little bit with their performances, especially in the first half against Crewe.

“I felt somewhat hurt that people didn’t care as much as I did about it but I saw the other night a lot of players on that pitch that really cared and gave everything.

“The first 65 minutes will be totally forgotten by almost everybody except us (the coaching staff) but there were lots of really good things and barring two mistakes we would have won.”

Gregory’s hopes of ending a four-match run without a win at Oldham Athletic on Saturday have been hit by injury and suspension.

Izale McLeod will miss the trip to Boundary Park after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Gillingham although Dean Leacock returns from a similar suspension.

Gavin Tomlin is likely to be out for at least a week after picking up a hamstring injury on Tuesday and with Matt Harrold struggling with a thigh problem it means Reds could go into the game without a recognised striker.

Skipper Josh Simpson and Lanre Oyebanjo are also doubts through injury while Gregory has confirmed that Mat Sadler’s loan from Rotherham United will not be extended for a second time after he was at fault for the first goal against Gillingham.

Gregory added: “Hamstring injuries don’t go away very quickly so Gavin must be a major doubt for Saturday.”