Gavin Tomlin is back on the bench for Crawley Town as they host Southend United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tonight.

Tomlin features for the first time this season following summer groin surgery.

The former Southend forward has not featured since the final game of last season.

Former Birmingham youngster Callum Preston makes his debut in goal as the Reds chase a first home win of the season.

Manager Mark Yates has made six changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Plymouth on Saturday with returns for a fit-again Joe McNerney, Simon Walton, Luke Rooney, Lee Barnard and Roarie Deacon.

Crawley: Preston; Donnelly, McNerney, Bradley, Hancox; Edwards, Walton, Smith, Rooney; Barnard, Deacon. Subs: Scales, Henderson, Young, Fenelon, Tomlin.

Southend: Bentley; White, Bolger, Prosser, Coker; Atkinson, Wordsworth, Deegan; Weston, Pigott, Payne. Subs: Worrall, Timlin, Mooney, Leonard, Williams.