Barker expects Crawley to cope

Barker expects Crawley to cope

Published Oct. 4, 2012 9:15 a.m. ET

Richie Barker believes his young Crawley defence can cope after being robbed of three experienced centre-halves through injury.

Claude Davis was added to the casualty list after suffering recurrence of a thigh problem against Bournemouth on Tuesday night while Kyle McFadzean and Shaun Cooper are already sidelined.

Barker says he will not be panicked into bringing in a loan signing as cover so 20-year-olds Mark Connolly and Joe Walsh look set to start at Brentford on Saturday.

"I would prefer to keep it in-house," he said.

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"I like young players to be given opportunities so we will see how it goes."

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