YATES IN ATKINSON SWOOP

CRAWLEY Town manager Mark Yates is delighted to have finally got his man after signing midfielder Chris Atkinson on a month’s loan from Crewe Alexandra.

The 23-year-old had made 16 appearances in League One for Crewe this season but, with midfielder Jimmy Smith sidelined by a foot injury,Yates pounced.

“He’s a player I’ve been tracking for a while,” said Yates.“We got him initially for a month with a view to seeing where we go with it. He’s a player I’ve always liked and has scored goals against my teams in the past.

“He’s got everything we are after; mobility, good on the ball, an eye for goal and a decent footballer.”