Torquay v Barnet preview

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Torquay interim manager Alan Knill is confident goalkeepers Michael Poke and Martin Rice will be available on Saturday.

First-choice stopper Poke, who missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Gillingham with a suspected chest infection, will be given a fitness test ahead of kick off.

Rice, who deputised in Poke’s absence, picked up a knock during Saturday’s game but Knill is hopeful he will recover in time to feature if Poke is not fit.

Winger Danny Stevens (groin) and midfielder Craig Easton (calf) are close to returning to first-team action but this game could come too soon for them.

Knill will be without winger Jordan Chapell after he returned to parent club Sheffield United on Thursday following the departure of Blades boss Danny Wilson.

Barry Fuller will return from suspension for Barnet’s trip to Torquay.

The defender has completed a two-match ban for the red card he was shown after the final whistle following the goalless draw with Dagenham on Good Friday.

Fuller is poised to replace Ross Jenkins in Edgar Davids’ squad after the midfielder went back to Watford at the end of his loan spell.

Player-boss Davids is still without Crystal Palace loanee Kyle De Silva, who completes a three-match ban for his red card against the Daggers, while fellow strikers Steve Kabba (knee) and Ricky Holmes (foot) remain on the sidelines.

Jamal Lowe played for the reserves in midweek to build up his fitness and could be involved as Davids is considering playing two up front for the crucial relegation battle.

Torquay v Barnet preview

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Ricky Holmes could return to the Barnet starting line-up for the home fixture.

The striker has made two substitute appearances following a month out with a knee injury and with the Bees facing their third match in six days boss Lawrie Sanchez may shuffle his pack.

Skipper Mark Hughes and top scorer Izale McLeod passed late fitness checks to face Brentford in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night and both came through unscathed as Barnet won on penalties.

Defender Darren Dennehy is back in training following a calf problem but Charlie Taylor is struggling with ankle trouble and fellow striker Steve Kabba remains sidelined by a knee injury.

Southampton youngster Jack Saville could return to the squad after missing out in midweek due to the five loanees rule.

Torquay will continue to be without Brian Saah when they take on Barnet on Friday.

Defender Saah has been sidelined until the new year with a groin injury and will not be available for selection for manager Martin Ling, while winger Lloyd Macklin has joined non-league Salisbury on loan until January.

However, Ling will be boosted by the return of midfielder Damon Lathrope following suspension.

Lathrope missed the 3-2 FA Cup defeat at Sheffield United after accumulating five bookings of the course of the season but has now served his ban and is available for selection.

The Gulls are unbeaten in five matches in League Two, and Lathrope sees no reason why they cannot keep that streak going through the Christmas period.

He said: “Christmas is one of the most important times in the season. We’ve been playing well recently and were confident we can keep pushing on.”

Torquay v Barnet preview

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Torquay manager Paul Buckle has injury and suspension problems for the visit of struggling Barnet.

Lloyd Macklin serves the second game of a three-match ban and is unavailable and Chris Zebroski is also ruled out through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the FA Cup win over Mansfield.

On-loan QPR winger Romone Rose is doubtful after he was stretchered off at Field Mill with an ankle injury and Guy Branston is struggling with a calf injury.

Kieran Charnock and Chris Robertson are likely to keep their places in defence.

Joe Oastler has extended his loan spell at Plainmoor by another two months from QPR after some impressive performances in the Gulls midfield but will operate as a make-shift right-back if Danny Senda is still sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Barnet skipper Glen Southam is out of the trip to Torquay.

The midfielder is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against Charlton in the FA Cup last week so Rossi Jarvis could be in line for a rare start.

Manager Mark Stimson is otherwise expected to stick with the side which held the League One Addicks to a goalless draw.

The Bees remain without defenders Daniel Leach (ankle) and Darren Dennehy (foot), who are still on crutches, and strikers Danny Kelly (ankle) and Izale McLeod.

Former England Under-21 international McLeod has yet to play for Barnet since he joined in September as he continues his recovery from a knee operation, but he has been pencilled in to start training next week.