Steve Evans led Crawley to the Blue Square Bet Premier title last season

Crawley manager Steve Evans is targeting a top-seven finish in his side's debut Football League season.

The Blue Square Bet Premier champions start their League Two campaign away to Port Vale on Saturday.

Evans told a BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey fans' forum: "We could be the champions if we have a little bit of luck.

"In the dressing room, promotion is the objective. Paul Raynor [assistant manager] and I would be disappointed if we finished below the play-offs."

But he added: "We have the utmost respect for the competition that we're going to play in and the teams that we're going to come up against."

I've had dialogue with two clubs in the SPL that would be keen to take Willie Gibson Crawley manager Steve Evans

Meanwhile Evans has revealed Scottish midfielder Willie Gibson is suffering from homesickness and may leave the club.

The 26-year-old made 15 appearances for the Reds after joining from Dunfermline in January.

"He's in quite a bit of turmoil," Evans continued.

"He got married in June and his wife gave up her job to move down.

"They're having quite a difficult time. We'll be as compassionate as we need to be as a football club.

"I've had dialogue with two clubs in the SPL that would be keen to take Willie, and a northern Conference club have come in for him as well. We'll see where that goes."

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