Torquay v Northampton preview

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Torquay boss Chris Hargreaves could name an unchanged line-up as his side look to build on a memorable win over Portsmouth when they host fellow strugglers Northampton.

Hargreaves rang the changes for that 1-0 victory at Fratton Park with Aaron Downes, Karl Hawley and Lee Mansell, who was nursing a back injury, all left out of the side.

The trio may have to make do with a place on the bench at Plainmoor in a match which the Gulls hope will go ahead after Saturday’s clash with Bury fell foul to a waterlogged pitch.

Plainmoor has not hosted a match since January 4 and Hargreaves is yet to manage his new side on home soil due to a string of postponements.

Captain Lee Collins is a doubt for Northampton’s crucial trip to fellow relegation rivals Torquay.

The centre-back was forced out of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Plymouth nursing a toe injury and is likely to miss the encounter at Plainmoor, although his absence is not expected to be long-term.

The likes of Ben Tozer, Ian Morris, Antonio German, Gregor Robertson, Roy O’Donovan and Gary Deegan will all be looking to break into Chris Wilder’s starting XI as bottom-of-the-table Town look to close the six-point gap to second-bottom Torquay.

Long-term absentees Kelvin Langmead, Alex Nicholls and Lewis Hornby remain sidelined.

Torquay v Northampton preview

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Torquay manager Martin Ling will be without the suspended Brian Saah.

The defender will serve the first of a three-match ban after he was sent off for violent conduct during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Bradford.

Reading loanee Angus MacDonald will come into the starting line-up in place of Saah, while captain Lee Mansell comes back into contention after serving a three-match ban.

Striker Rene Howe is battling to recover from a knee injury and will be given a late fitness test.

Meanwhile midfielder Billy Bodin is rated at 50/50 to play some part in the game after picking up a knock on his ankle last week.

Torquay currently sit 11th in the league, two places above Saturday’s opponents.

Northampton boss Aidy Boothroyd remains without a host of senior players.

Defenders David Artell, John Johnson and Nana are all ruled out along with midfielder Luke Guttridge and striker Alex Nicholls.

Boothroyd has no fresh injury or suspension worries ahead of the trip but is unlikely to have anyone back before the new year.

His side have been forced to train at local football centre Goals this week for use of their 3G surfaces in an attempt to beat the cold conditions.

Former Gulls striker Adebayo Akinfenwa will look to add to his four goals in the last five games, and 14 for the season.

The Cobblers travel on the back of three successive defeats in all competitions and Boothroyd admitted defeat to Cheltenham last week was a hard pill to swallow.

“It took me longer to get over the Cheltenham defeat than any other game this season,” he told BBC Radio Northampton.

“We’re so near to being a really good team. That might mean a couple of players coming back or joining us, or more work on the training field. It’s probably a bit of all three.

“This is a key time in our development. Improvement is being made but we want to improve our away form, certainly.”

Torquay v Northampton preview

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Torquay are sweating over the fitness of full-back Joe Oastler.

Oastler suffered a dead leg during the 1-0 home victory over Dagenham on Tuesday night and did not train on Thursday, but the right-back is expected to be in contention for a place in manager Martin Ling’s starting line-up for the visit of the Cobblers.

Rene Howe regained his spot up front for the Gulls last time out after serving a four-match ban and he will be hoping to fend off pressure from Taiwo Atieno for a starting berth.

Defender Brian Saah once again sat on the bench on Tuesday following his recovery from a groin injury and he is likely to have to settle for a place among the substitutes.

Northampton have no new problems for their trip.

Goalkeeper Shane Higgs (Achilles) and defender Nana Ofori-Twumasi (knee) remain unavailable to boss Aidy Boothroyd, who must decide whether to make changes to his starting XI following the home defeat to Barnet last weekend.

Midfielders Greg Kaziboni, Andy Holt and Ryan Gilligan are options, along with forward Tadhg Purcell.

Adebayo Akinfenwa is likely to keep his place in the team after the club’s leading scorer marked his recall with the Cobblers’ goal in the defeat to Barnet.

Midfielder Luke Guttridge comes in for his second debut for the club having re-signed on Friday following his departure from Aldershot.