Crawley Town's relegation battle has been dealt a severe blow with the loss of key defender Akin Odimayo to injury. Manager Colin Kazim-Richards confirmed the 26-year-old centre-back was stretchered off during last week's 2-2 draw with Chesterfield and has since undergone surgery.

Odimayo had recently established himself as a first-choice central defender, making his absence particularly untimely for a side sitting 24th in League Two with just five points from eight games. The team's form has been poor, with only one win in that sequence, and they face league leaders Salford City next.

Manager's assessment

Kazim-Richards did not provide a specific timeline for Odimayo's return but confirmed the operation was successful. "Yeah, it's not a great injury," the manager said. "He's had an operation yesterday. He's come through that good, healthy."

He praised Odimayo's impact since settling into the back line. The manager said the player "drives standards" in training and had become a reassuring presence, making the timing of the setback especially frustrating as the team sought momentum.

Defensive crisis deepens

The injury exacerbates an existing selection crisis at the Broadfield Stadium. Crawley's squad has been ravaged by injuries and suspensions this season, with goalkeeper Vito Mannone, midfielders Stephen Duke-McKenna and Malcolm Ebiowei, and defenders Kellan Gordon and Kai Jennings among those who have been unavailable.

This shortage leaves Kazim-Richards with few experienced options to fill the void in central defence ahead of the trip to Salford. The manager acknowledged the situation creates an opportunity for other squad members to step up and earn a regular place.

Context of the struggle

Crawley's difficult start is reflected in the league table, where they are 14 points adrift of Salford City at the summit. Their defensive record shows 15 goals conceded in eight matches, though they did manage a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory over Bromley earlier this month. The team's upcoming fixtures present a formidable challenge as they look to climb away from the bottom.

The 2-2 draw with Chesterfield, in which Odimayo was injured, saw Crawley fight back from two goals down with a Gianmarco Biase Di brace. That result leaves them still searching for consistency. With Odimayo now sidelined, the task of shoring up the defence and securing vital points falls to a depleted group. The manager's immediate focus is on preparing his remaining players for the away match against the league leaders this weekend.

The original report is at SussexWorld