John Gregory has stepped down as Crawley Town manager, for health reasons, ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Colchester United.

Instead, Dean Saunders will take control as interim manager, starting with the crunch relegation battle against the U’s.

The experienced Gregory, aged 60, is preparing for heart surgery in the new year, which will require a long period of recuperation.

So Saunders has come in to replace Gregory, on a temporary basis, having previously managed Wrexham, Doncaster Rovers and Wolves.

The U’s, joint bottom of League One, will go above Crawley if they can win in Sussex tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).