Hassan Sulaiman is hoping to relaunch his career at Crawley three years after having his heart broken by Arsenal.

Sulaiman spent six years with the Gunners and was in the same youth team as current stars Cesc Fabregas, Justin Hoyte, Phillipe Senderos and Johan Djourou.

He was released in 2004 after failing to earn a professional contract and following spells at Wigan and Aldershot he signed for Reds on Monday.

The 21-year-old made his debut as a late substitute in the 3-2 defeat at Weymouth on Tuesday and is likely to be on the bench again for the visit of Cambridge United tomorrow.

A relegation dogfight in the Conference is a long way from the glamour of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Thierry Henry but Sulaiman believes his time with the Gunners can help Crawley in their current predicament.

He said: "It was an amazing time at Arsenal, especially in the last two years when I was regularly around some of the best players in the world.

"I didn't train with the first team but just to be near the likes of Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera was superb and had a big influence. It was a privilege just to watch them train.

"I learned something new every day I was there and although it was obviously very disappointing when I had to leave it was a great upbringing as a player.

"Playing in the Conference is a lot different to being at Arsenal but there are certain things I learned during my time there that I hope I can bring to the team to help them.

"It is so difficult to earn a contract at Arsenal because they have a million and one great players to choose from but I am just grateful for the time I spent there as it gave me the best foundation in the game.

"Now I am trying to climb back up the ladder again with Crawley and I am grateful they have given me an opportunity. I've not played much first team football in my career so I'm hoping to get as many games under my belt as possible."

Sulaiman failed to break into the first team as Wigan won promotion to the Premiership in 2004/5 and moved on to Aldershot as Paul Jewell looked to add experience to his squad ahead of their first season in the top flight.

He made 23 appearances in right midfield for the Shots last season, scoring one goal, but was released in the summer before undergoing two operations on his groin.

Sulaiman added: "I was out for about six months and it was very hard because I didn't have a club and had to do all the rehabilitation on my own.

"I really had to motivate myself to go to the gym every day and do my exercises and the fact I didn't have anyone else around to support me was very demoralising.

"But I'm here now and really want to make the most of what's left of the season. It may be March but from my point of view the season is just beginning and I'm desperate to make an impact.

"Obviously I would like to play in every match but I realise the team is pretty stable at the moment so all I can do is try to impress and put pressure on those who are in the team."

Elliot Benyon is fit to return to the side after missing the defeat at Weymouth but Lloyd Blackman and Ben Judge are both missing as they recover from groin operations.

Cambridge are currently three points below Crawley but have lost their last two matches 5-0 and joint caretaker manager Judge knows how important it is that Reds halt a run that has seen them take just five points from the last six games.

Judge said: "We're right back in it now at the bottom so it is a massive game for us. It would open up a bit of a gap again and keep them down there. Five-nil would be nice but we'd settle for 1-0."