WANDERERS will be without Kieran Lee for the promotion decider against Crawley – with George Thomason likely to replace him in midfield.

Ian Evatt has confirmed the former Sheffield Wednesday man will miss Saturday’s game with a calf injury sustained in last weekend’s defeat against Exeter City.

Next in line appears to be 20-year-old Thomason, who has been somewhat of a lucky charm for the Whites in some of their biggest away tests this season.

“Second half especially I think we missed him, particularly the first 20 minutes before (Antoni) Sarcevic came off,” he said of the youngster.

“Sarce did a great shift considering it was his first game back after only a few full training sessions but he will be better for that experience and fitness this weekend.

“When George plays we seem to build possession more, we seem to build attacks better, so he can slip into the team.

“I have no fears about putting him into such a big game – he played at Salford, at Morecambe, at Forest Green – and there’s no reason he can’t go to Crawley and perform. I trust George.”

Evatt admits that missing Lee, who has been instrumental in Wanderers’ climb up the table since he signed an 18-month deal in February “The results speak for themselves since he has been in,” he said. “He has had a good career, he’s a good professional, carries himself and acts responsible day-to-day and he is a good example for young players.

“He works his socks off on the pitch and is head of the data on most days, most matches, so if you want a lengthy career in football, that is the standard you have to be at on a daily basis.”