United take on Maidstone United in FA Trophy 1st round action at Plainmoor on Saturday (KO 3pm).
Torquay United head coach Gary Owers has much to think about ahead of the tie. Decisions have to be made about whether loans are renewed for members of United’s 1st team squad.
“Saturday will see Callum Evans’ loan spell come to an end. I think the following week it is Rhys Murphy. The following week it is Josh McQuoid. So, they’ll be a trickle of players going outwards and we’ll have to try and counteract that and get one or two coming back in the opposite direction.”
Owers has fresh personnel options heading into Saturday’s match. Jake Gosling could be a part of the squad on Saturday, and George Dowling has returned to the Club after completing rehab on his hamstring injury. Ryan Clarke is also likely to be a part of the starting eleven as fellow ‘keeper Vincent Dorel and his wife are expecting an addition to their family over the festive period.
“People like [Jake] Gosling coming back from injury. George Dowling has returned from Bristol City and available so that’s a boost. I’m going to play Ryan Clarke because he has to have some minutes under his belt. Vincent’s [Dorel] wife is expecting a baby as well over the Christmas period, so we have to be ready that he might not be with us at a drop of a hat for a game or two, so everything is in the melting pot.
“I have to have a look at some of the squad players. There aren’t a huge amount of opportunities for them to get minutes under their belts. This presents an opportunity for them so I will chop and change but hopefully the team I will pick will be strong enough to get a good result.