Jimmy Dack has warned it will take time before Crawley Town find their feet in League Two.

Reds head to Cambridge United today seeking their first win of the season following a turbulent 12 months which saw them relegated and change their manager twice.

Dack was installed as assistant manager by new boss Mark Yates during the summer and the pair set about rebuilding the club from top to bottom.

Eleven new players have come in as well as an entire backroom team with Yates still trying to put the final pieces of the jigsaw in place before the transfer window closes on September 2.

Dack says a return of two points from three difficult league games is an acceptable return considering the upheaval that has gone on at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.

“It’s been quite a good start when you remember what things were like when we walked in the door at start of June,” said Dack. “We had to rebuild the backroom staff and the playing staff and it has all been a bit rushed.

“We had to hit ground running so if you had said to me we’d have picked up points at Oxford and Portsmouth then I’d have taken that. The only disappointment is that we led against Oxford and Wimbledon so could probably have had two wins under our belt already.

“That was why the draw against Portsmouth in midweek was so pleasing as we saw the game out. I’ve not come across a team as good as them in all my time in League Two so that result will give us a lot of confidence.

“It is not going to happen overnight though. We are not where we want to be by any stretch of the imagination but as a group we are getting better with every game.

“We’ve played three of the best teams in the division and haven’t come up that short against them so if we can add one or two more new faces I’m sure we will be all right.”

Reds brought in left-back Christian Scales on loan from Crystal Palace on Thursday but are still operating with one of the smallest squads in the Football League.

Yates’ options have been further reduced by injuries to Gavin Tomlin, Lanre Oyebanjo and Conor Henderson together with Izale McLeod decision to go on strike.

McLeod will be missing again at the Abbey Stadium today amid suggestions Crawley have agreed a £150,00 fee with Notts County for the 30-year-old who scored 21 goals last season.

If a deal does go through it could release funds for Yates to strengthen in other areas with a central midfielder top of the shopping list.

Dack added: “Everyone knows we have not got the biggest squad and with games coming thick and fast it means we can’t really train that hard at the minute as we have a lot of players carrying knocks.

“It is different scenario to other clubs who can prepare a bit better during the week. At the minute we are doing cool downs or taking them in the pool to ensure they are ready for the next game.

“Conor is trying to get himself back but as we have such a small squad we might have to bring someone in, especially in the central midfield area as we can’t keep relying on the same people week in, week out.

“We play with three central midfielders some of the time and have only got four on the books. We would like to give some of them a rest but we can’t do that at the minute.”

Dack has high hopes for Scales who is set to make his Football League debut today.

“I’ve watched him two or three times this season and he is a very good prospect,” said Dack. “I saw him play for Palace in pre-season and he set up three of the five goals.

“He likes to get up and down and is good on the ball so I’m looking forward to seeing him put on a Crawley shirt. It is great we are able to give opportunities to these young, hungry players to learn their trade.”