Fabian Forde will be hoping to use up some of his frustration on the Stafford Rangers defence after a stray pony forced him to miss the chance to play for his country.

The Crawley striker was due to play for Barbados under-23s in their Olympic qualifying tie against Guyana on Sunday but failed to make it to the Caribbean after missing his flight.

The M25 was closed when a pony got loose on the motorway and by the time Forde got to Gatwick it was too late. He returned to the airport the following day but conceded defeat when he could not arrange another flight.

It meant Forde did not have the chance to add to the goal he scored in the first leg in a 4-1 defeat against Guyana last month and without him Barbados could only win 2-1 in the second leg as they crashed out 5-3 on aggregate.

Reds boss Francis Vines said: "He was a bit disappointed to say the least and there have been a few jokes about horses and ponies doing the rounds at training since. Maybe the whole experience will fire Fabian up for Saturday because it is about time he showed us what he can do."

Forde has been mainly used as a substitute by Crawley this season but could partner Carl Wilson-Denis up front at the Broadfield Stadium if Joff Vansittart is deemed too much of a risk because of a tight hamstring.

Karl Ready and Ian Payne are both fit again to face a Rangers side a point above Crawley in the Dr Martens League premier division and expected to provide a stiff challenge to the Reds' title hopes.

"They have won at leaders Weymouth so they are obviously a good team,'' said Vines.