Crawley boss Steve Evans admits he is surprised by an FA tribunal’s ruling that Grimsby will have to pay £10,000 for former Reds’ striker Charlie Ademeno.

Ademeno, whom Crawley signed on a free in July 2009, joined the Mariners in the summer after scoring 14 goals last season.

He was the subject of interest from several Football League clubs during last January’s transfer window and Reds rejected a bid from Torquay for him on deadline day.

Evans said: “We turned down a £50k bid the day before he signed for Grimsby so for a tribunal to decide that is baffling.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Cook makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from an ankle injury in today’s Combination game against Leyton Orient at the Broadfield (2pm).

Meanwhile Evans has admitted Reds face arguably the toughest possible tie in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup after they were handed a trip to Newport County, who visit the Broadfield on Saturday in the league.

He said: “Newport away is not the tie we would have picked – we would rather go to Luton than Newport. It will be tough but we can win.

“I’m more focussed on the league but that doesn’t mean we don’t want a cup run.”