TEAMtalk

Torquay v Bristol Rovers preview

Friday 09-March-2012 16:21

Danny Stevens is Torquay's only injury doubt for the match.

The midfielder was withdrawn after 23 minutes of the victory over Crawley last weekend with an ankle injury and the 25-year-old missed the win against Aldershot in midweek.

Stevens is rated as 50/50 to face Rovers at Plainmoor, with on-loan Ryan Jarvis likely to deputise once more should he not be fit enough to feature.

Otherwise, manager Martin Ling has no other injury or suspension worries as he looks to lead his side to their third successive league victory.

Striker Rene Howe was substituted late on during the clash against Aldershot due to a tight hamstring but he is expected to be fit to start the encounter.

Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers manager Mark McGhee is sweating over the fitness of full-back Danny Woodards.

Woodards sustained a minor ankle injury during the 3-2 defeat at Northampton in midweek, but Rovers are hopeful the 28-year-old will have recovered in time to face the Gulls.

McGhee, however, will definitely have to do without Michael Smith. The right-back picked up a groin problem during the stalemate with Macclesfield last weekend and is sidelined for the visit to Plainmoor.

Goalkeeper Michael Poke could make his return from injury. Poke has not featured for the Pirates since a goalless draw with Oxford on February 18 after twisting his ankle but stands a chance of coming back into the side in Devon.

Adam Virgo and Wayne Brown remain long-term casualties with respective knee ligament and ankle injuries, while Gary Sawyer (hamstring) and Aaron Downes (knee cartilage) have also been ruled out.