Charlie MacDonald today set his sights on a return to the starting line-up for Crawley's Boxing Day clash with Gravesend and Northfleet.

MacDonald came on as a second half substitute in Reds' 3-1 defeat at York City following an eight-week absence with a groin injury.

The former Charlton striker will play his first 90 minutes for the reserves against Millwall tomorrow ahead of Sunday's home game against Fleet.

He said: "It is just a matter of getting games under my belt but obviously I want to get back into the side as soon as possible.

"I don't feel too bad, although there is a little bit of stiffness still there. I will get through as much of the reserve game as I can but I am confident I can come back for Gravesend."

MacDonald believes Crawley should pick up maximum points from their three games over the Christmas period.

Reds travel to Forest Green Rovers on December 28, before meeting Gravesend for a second time on New Year's Day.

MacDonald said: "We can't grumble about the games. We have three part-time teams so it could have been a lot worse.

"We want to finish as the best part-time team in the league and to do that we need to beat the rest, so we have to pull our finger out and get maximum points over the Christmas period."

Manager Francis Vines has warned the other Crawley strikers that he will not be afraid to throw MacDonald straight back into the side.

He said: "Charlie is now fit to play. That means the other forwards' performance levels with have to come up otherwise Charlie will be finding himself back in the side quicker than we thought."