By Jan-Malte Wagener

Glenn Morris has become Crawley’s “rock at the back” while his coaching career has been postponed.

The experienced goalkeeper is likely to return between the posts at Morecambe today after being rested in the Checkatrade Trophy at Portsmouth on Tuesday.

Red Devils try to regain their form from the Barnet victory two weeks ago.

Harry Kewell’s side recently lost three games in a row, including two tough home defeats in League Two.

Now they hit the road in search of points with Morris set to be a key figure.

The ex-Orient man has already made 53 appearance for Reds despite the fact that he was brought in not really to play but to coach.

When Morris joined Reds in July 2016, he was only third choice behind Yusuf Mersin and Chelsea loanee Mitchell Beeney.

He became No.1 in goal in September last year and was voted by the fans as Crawley’s player of the year.

Morris told The Argus: “Last year I was more a coach, this year I am a player. That’s what the manager wants. He doesn’t want me to lose focus.

“Coaching is something I want to do in the future but I’ve got to concentrate on playing at the minute.

“I came here as a coach primarily but this year I’m coming more out as a player. That’s the way I look at it. I’m enjoying my football here.

“I enjoyed last year. It was good to become player of the year, I was never expecting that.”

Kewell is very pleased with the performances of his goalie.

He said: “Last year he was brought in as a player-coach.

“I found that really difficult.

“I don’t understand that kind of role but he is handling it very well at the moment.

“We are working behind the scenes to bring a goalkeeping coach in for him.

“I think he’s an excellent keeper and so is Yusuf Mersin.

“He is doing two jobs at once at the moment and he is reacting very well and he is playing excellent for me.

“I can’t fault him at the moment.

“It is just a little bit of mishaps that we are conceding at the moment but for me Glenn has been the rock at the back.”

Mersin did not have a real chance to shine between the sticks in Crawley’s cup exit at Pompey.

But the development of his companion in goal could bolster the 6ft 5in giant.

Morris said: “I’ve got no doubts about it that if Yusuf had been called up he would do a good job.

“He trains hard every day and puts in the effort. I’m sure he’ll come good.

“When I came I was probably third choice. But that’s how football goes sometimes.

“You never know when you’ll get the chance and then you have to take it.

“That’s what we are telling Yusuf day in and day out.”