CRAWLEY TOWN: Cloud hovers over McLeod

Crawley Town chief executive Michael Dunford wants to see a substantially improved bid before they agree to sell Izale McLeod.

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Izale McLeod scores a HatTrick  for Crawley Town against Barnsley (Pic by Jon Rigby) PPP-150214-181200004Izale McLeod scores a HatTrick  for Crawley Town against Barnsley (Pic by Jon Rigby) PPP-150214-181200004
Izale McLeod scores a HatTrick for Crawley Town against Barnsley (Pic by Jon Rigby) PPP-150214-181200004

Until then it appears the 21-goal hitman from last season will be either watching matches from the stand or will be away on holiday.

On Saturday, Reds gained an encouraging 1-1 draw at Oxford United from their opening game of the season in League Two.

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McLeod was not included in the squad and was again expected to be absent from the team during last night’s trip in the Capital One Cup to Peterborough United.

Crawley Town FC chief executive Michael Dunford 19-05-2015.  SR1510642. Pic by Steve Robards SUS-150519-152600001Crawley Town FC chief executive Michael Dunford 19-05-2015.  SR1510642. Pic by Steve Robards SUS-150519-152600001
Crawley Town FC chief executive Michael Dunford 19-05-2015. SR1510642. Pic by Steve Robards SUS-150519-152600001

Dunford said: “We have received three bids so far but we haven’t received an offer which matches our valuation.

“He was the highest scorer in the team last season which was relegated. He is a proven goalscorer.

“The offers which we received - one was unrealistic and the others were far below what we require.

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“I still think there will be movement in the transfer window. It could be tomorrow, it could be September 1, who knows?”

The McLeod issue is the last Crawley transfer movement expected of the summer following Friday’s signing of Belgian defender Bryan Ven Den Bogaert.

The left-back showed his commitment when he drove five hours on the day of a pre-season game against Reading to make his debut.

After playing well, he unfortunately injured his knee against Nuneaton Town.

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Having now recovered from injury, Van Den Bogaert could not play on Saturday as he was waiting for international clearance.

However he was cleared in time to play at Peterborough last night and could make his Football League debut this Saturday when Crawley play their first home game of the season against AFC Wimbledon.

A good crowd expected for this match could well be repeated on Tuesday for their home game against south coast Portsmouth, who have already sold-out their 1,700-strong ticket allocation.

Dunford added: “The Portsmouth game is probably going to be one of the largest gates of the season.

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“AFC Wimbledon will probably bring 500-600 with them and I would expect a crowd of 2,500.”

Unable to go to a game? Follow the action through our Live event coverage on our website http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/live/event?1402016

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