Torquay v Southend preview

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Torquay’s new signing Jayden Stockley will miss their clash with Southend this weekend.

The Bournemouth loanee made his debut as a second-half substitute in their defeat at Scunthorpe but has returned to the Championship side for treatment on a calf strain he sustained in training and he will not feature against Phil Brown’s men.

French midfielder Damien Mozika looks set to continue in midfield after impressing since arriving on a non-contract agreement at Plainmoor while John Marquis will partner Elliot Benyon once more.

Alan Knill’s men are now rock-bottom of Sky Bet League Two and are currently four points from safety.

Will Atkinson and Ryan Leonard both return to the fold for high-flying Southend’s trip to bottom-club Torquay.

Atkinson missed last weekend’s 3-1 FA Cup victory at Chesterfield due to suspension while fellow midfielder Leonard has been sidelined of late with a hamstring injury.

Striker Cauley Woodrow serves the final game of his three-match ban and so misses out at Plainmoor.

Freddy Eastwood was back on the bench against the Spireites last weekend having recovered from a lengthy knee injury and he will hope for some involvement against Torquay having enjoyed 65 minutes for the club’s reserves in midweek.

Torquay v Southend preview

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Gulls goalkeeper Michael Poke is a doubt after missing the 0-0 draw with Oxford last weekend because of a strained abductor muscle in his groin.

The medical staff will assess the 26-year-old in training ahead of this weekend’s match. If he does not get the green light then Martin Rice will deputise again.

Winger Danny Stevens also missed the clash at the Kassam and his lower abdomen strain will rule him out again, but striker Rene Howe will return after serving his one-game suspension for five yellow cards.

Meanwhile manager Martin Ling hopes to have winger Lloyd Macklin available again by Christmas.

The 23-year-old broke a metatarsal just over a month ago but is set to have the plaster removed and he could be on course to feature in the Devon derby with Exeter on December 22.

Paul Sturrock hopes to have a virtually fully-fit squad – but a couple of players will require late fitness tests.

Striker Neil Harris is the only definite absentee with his long-standing knee injury but midfielder Kevan Hurst has declared himself fit after an ankle knock.

“We have picked up a couple of knocks from the behind-closed-doors game this week and a few starters from Saturday will require fitness tests,” the Shrimpers boss told the club’s official website.

“But I am hopeful they will all be okay and we will have as strong a squad as last week to select from.”

Southend’s solid 0-0 draw at Port Vale last Saturday extended the club’s unbeaten run to four games.

Torquay v Southend preview

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Torquay will be without the suspended Ian Morris for this match.

Morris was sent off after 79 minutes of the 2-2 draw with Oxford on Easter Monday for a second bookable offence and serves a one-match ban for the visit of the Shrimpers.

Ryan Jarvis is likely to come back into the team in Morris’ absence, but the Gulls are sweating over the fitness of Rene Howe, who has not trained this week but is still expected to start.

Striker Howe has been carrying a knee injury of late but he has been working through the pain barrier. Taiwo Atieno, who netted a late equaliser against the U’s last time out, is a ready replacement for Howe if he fails to make it.

Otherwise, Torquay manager Martin Ling has a fully-fit squad at his disposal as his side look to consolidate second place in the League Two table.

Meanwhile, Southend welcome back Sean Clohessy and Lee Hills for their long trip west to Devon but manager Paul Sturrock’s injury problems remain.

Clohessy missed Easter Monday’s 2-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon due to a one-match suspension while fellow full-back Hills was struggling with illness.

Skipper Chris Barker only made the bench against the Dons having been forced off on Good Friday due to a knock, although he was called upon to replace fellow defender Luke Prosser after he left the action late on due to injury.

Both will be assessed to determine their availability at Plainmoor, as will striker Freddy Eastwood as he continues to play through a knee complaint.

Elliot Benyon serves the second game of a three-match suspension and is unavailable, while fellow striker Jack Sampson has returned to Bolton after the Shrimpers opted not to extend his loan stay.

Forward Harry Crawford strengthened his claims for involvement by bagging four goals for United’s reserves in midweek.

Torquay v Southend preview

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Torquay manager Paul Buckle is set to name an unchanged side.

Buckle’s side are flying at present and notched up their third league win in a row on Tuesday, beating Burton 1-0.

Left-back Kevin Nicholson made his return as a substitute after illness against the Brewers but is unlikely to replace Lathanial Rowe-Turner, who has impressed when filling in recently.

On-loan Northampton winger Ryan Gilligan will again be used from the bench after fulfilling that role in the last two matches.

Striker Chris Zebroski will continue to play in an unfamiliar wide position as Jake Robinson and Billy Kee continue to play up front.

Zebroski netted in the reverse fixture when the Shrimpers ran out 2-1 winners at Roots Hall.

Southend striker Harry Crawford is out of the trip.

Crawford picked up an ankle injury against Wycombe in midweek and will not travel.

Boss Paul Sturrock has doubts over another four players but has not revealed their identity.

He said: “We have a number of injury concerns and it’s far from ideal. I don’t want to say who has knocks but at least four players will be having late fitness checks. We may well have to get people in on loan and I have been looking high and low to see who is available.”

Defender Bilel Mohsni remains out for six to eight weeks with an ankle injury.

Midfielder Kane Ferdinand – cousin of England captain Rio – will continue after scoring his first career goal in midweek.