Mark Yates has hailed the midfielder who played on with a broken bone in his foot.

Now the Crawley manager plans to talk to Jimmy Smith’s potential successor about a new deal.

Ross Jenkins could start against Cambridge today as Yates moulds his 16-man squad – subject to late signings – into a side capable of scoring a seventh home win out of eight.

Yates has revealed he will talk to Jenkins and Daryl Flahavan, whose short-term contracts are coming to an end, at some stage once today’s game is out of the way.

But he makes no secret of his admiration for Smith’s commitment.

Yates said: “He played with a broken bone in his foot for 35 minutes at Portsmouth and that shows the type of character he is.

“I knew he was in pain – I didn’t realise how much.

“He has been brilliant for me since the minute I walked in the door. Great attitude. He gives us real energy, real drive.

“He even contributed with a really good goal at Barnet. One criticism of Jimmy is he could have got a couple more goals.

“He is a big blow but that’s what football is about.

“Somebody gets an injury, somebody else comes in and tries to take the opportunity.”