Crawley boss Mark Yates is close to rubber-stamping his first two signings.

Yates has revealed that he has verbally agreed deals with a central midfielder and centre back with the paperwork due to be completed when the pair return from holiday next week.

The Reds manager said: “I’ve shaken hands over the phone with a couple of players. I have been pretty much assured they are both committed to what we are trying to do.

“They are away at the moment but I’m expecting them back at the start of next week so we should be able to announce something then.”

Yates inherited just nine players when he took over from interim boss Dean Saunders at the end of last season but is refusing to rush into making any rash signings.

He now has ten players on the books after Bobson Bawling agreed a new one-year deal yesterday and is keen to put together a squad of around 20 by the start of the season.

He added: “It is taking a little bit of time but we are working very hard to find the best players that we can get.

“I could fill the squad with 20 players tomorrow but I want to make best use of the money I have been given.”

Yates also confirmed that he has held talks with defender Darren Ward who spent the end of last season on loan at Crawley from Swindon.

But he has ruled out bringing back fellow centre back Richard Wood to the Checkatrade.com Stadium on loan from Rotherham United.

Yates said: “I’ve spoken to Darren’s agent a couple of times and it is something I am weighing up. I know he is a really good player and a decent chap but I haven’t decided if that is a route I am going to go down yet.

“Richard was terrific here last season and I have spoken to Steve Evans (Rotherham boss) about him but we are not going to get him as he is on far too much money and has a year left on his contract.”

Yates further strengthened his backroom team yesterday by appointing Paul Wilson as physiotherapist. The 42-year-old spent takes over from Luigi Cerullo having spent the last two seasons with Dover Athletic.