Dean Saunders has hinted he could continue as Crawley boss next season if he is given the funds to challenge for an instant return to League One.

A 2-1 defeat to Coventry City yesterday meant Saunders failed in his bid to save Reds from relegation having taken over from John Gregory on an interim basis in December.

Crawley have yet to make a decision on whether Gregory will resume his duties having made an encouraging recovery from open heart surgery.

Saunders is set for talks with Crawley’s board tomorrow and has hinted he would be interested in taking the job permanently if he was promised a competitive budget.

Saunders said: “There are lots of things to take into consideration so we’ll have a chat and see what the way forward is.

“Until we speak I don’t know what direction the club wants to go in but if I take the job then I want to know I have a chance of doing well. I like the club and we’ve made some great progress since I came in so I’ll look what is put in front of me and decide from there.”