Crawley Town are considering a move for non-league hot-shot Matt Paterson.

Interim boss Dean Saunders is desperate to bring in extra firepower during the transfer window and has identified Gosport Borough striker Paterson as a potential target.

The 25-year-old former Southampton trainee has been in prolific form this season with 17 goals in 35 games for the Conference south outfit.

Paterson has also had spells at Southend, Stockport and Hamilton Academicals but has not featured in the Football League since helping Burton Albion to the League Two play-offs in 2013.

Gosport boss Alex Pike has said they will not stand in Paterson’s way if a bigger club came in for the 6ft 2in striker who was linked with a move to Swindon two weeks ago.

Pike said: “Matt is a fantastic striker at our level and I’m quite surprised that a pro club hasn’t come in for him. The lad wants to play at the highest level and Gosport wouldn’t stand in his way.”