Torquay V York at Plainmoor : Match Preview

22 March 2013 13:01
Torquay V York - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Downes back for Gulls

Torquay's options for the visit of fellow strugglers York have been boosted by the return of defender Aaron Downes.

The Australian centre-back missed the draw with Southend and the vital win over Chesterfield in midweek after a red card in the draw at Dagenham.

And manager Alan Knill will have to decide whether to recall the experienced Downes or stick with Reading loanee Angus MacDonald.

Knill, whose side won for the first time in 12 games on Tuesday, will be without Billy Bodin once more as the Wales Under-21 winger remains on international duty.

And despite the games coming thick and fast, the former Scunthorpe boss is not thinking about fatigue.

"Sometimes you can allow people to believe they're tired, and we're trying not to do that," he told the Western Morning News.

"We've got fit athletes here, this is the most important time of the season and we're all paid to play games and win them. Instead of toning the training down, we're bringing it up."

Torquay welcome the Minstermen with a two-point cushion over Nigel Worthington's men.

York's new loan signing Richard Cresswell is expected to go straight into the starting line-up.

Cresswell, who began his career with the Minstermen, signed on loan this week from Sheffield United.

Manager Nigel Worthington is hoping to include defensive pair Lanre Oyebanjo and David McGurk in his squad.

Oyebanjo has missed the last three games due to a calf strain, while McGurk, who last featured in mid-January, has been struggling with hamstring and calf problems.

Midfielder Jon Challinor remains sidelined as he recovers from a broken fibula and striker Michael Coulson is working his way back to full fitness having been sidelined since October with knee ligament damage.

Worthington could make several changes as he seeks his first win as manager, with midfielder Paddy McLaughlin and forwards Jamie Reed and Matty Blair pushing for recalls.

The Minstermen are chasing their first win in 15 games as they look to climb out of the bottom two.

Source: PA