Interim Crawley Town manager Dean Saunders is hoping to sign five new players in January, reports the Argus.

The Red Devils currently sit two points adrift of safety in Sky Bet League One and haven't won in 11 matches.

“I need to bring in three or four starters because we are short all over the pitch. I’d also like another two or three squad players with a bit of potential who might be able to help us at some stage," said Saunders.

“That is what I would like in an ideal world but we’ve got to start with one. It is early yet as there are players who are not available now that will be later in the month.

“We’ll probably do a lot of our business near the end of the window but I am trying to get somebody in by the weekend although I don’t want to bring people in who won’t improve us.”

Saunders took over as Crawley boss at the end of December, after former manager John Gregory stood down in order to have open heart surgery.

Despite being at the club for almost two weeks, the former Wrexham boss has only overseen one match so far - a 0-0 draw at home to lowly Colchester.

“We only had one fit defender last Sunday, so I’m looking to bring in more defenders if possible by the weekend," added Saunders.

The Red Devils welcome high-flying MK Dons to the Checkatrade.com Stadium on Saturday, who are expected to include former Town favourite Kyle McFadzean in their matchday squad.

Crawley Town currently sit in 21st position in Sky Bet League One, having accumulated 23 points from 23 league games.

The club have only won one game in their last ten league games.