Robert Kember has agreed to play for Crawley for free until the end of the season in an attempt to win a contract at the club.

The 22-year-old midfielder is desperate to earn a deal to stay at the Broadfield Stadium next season after leaving Ryman premier division outfit Basingstoke Town.

Kember, the son of former Crystal Palace boss Steve, was on trial with the Reds at the start of the season and has been given eight games to impress manager Francis Vines.

Vines said: "Robert has come in to see if he can earn himself a deal for next season.

"We made a seven-day approach for Robert but after signing Fiston (Manuella) we told him we could not afford to pay him.

"However, he still wanted to come down and we are delighted to have him."

Kember was only among the substitutes as Crawley went down 2-1 at Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday night but is poised to start at Moor Green tomorrow with Justin Gregory serving a one-match ban.

Reds still top the premier table by three points because closest rivals Weymouth lost on the same night against Nuneaton.