Any United recruits must be 'right for everyone'

Torquay United’s assistant manager Aaron Downes took the club's regular midweek press conference, while his boss Gary Johnson busied himself on his mobile phone, but Downes still insisted that the Gulls will not be rushed into any loan signings that don't tick most of the boxes for all parties.

When United completed back-to-back wins at St Albans City (1-0) last Saturday, they were without five injured players and named rookie pro defender Calum Thomas on their subs bench.

The squad still looks 'light' in a couple of departments, but ahead of this weekend's Bank Holiday double-header - Slough Town away (Sat) and Braintree Town at home (Mon) - Downes stressed: "We've got four more loans available, but we don't want to bring people in and not play them.

"We've got good relationships and a good reputation among other clubs for bringing their players in and sending them back better.

"We've got a big 15 days coming up, with a lot of games in a relatively short space of time.

"We're always looking to enhance the squad, and make it more competitive, but it's got to be right for everyone - the player and both clubs."

So, it wouldn't be a surprise if those Johnson phone calls turn into a new face of two in the near future, even if United do get a couple of injured men back this weekend.    

Downes reported encouraging news about skipper Asa Hall.

Although midfielder Hall is currently getting around in a surgical 'boot' to support his left ankle - the ligaments were injured in the recent win over Chippenham Town - Downes said: "It's nowhere near as bad as we first feared.  There's no fracture and no operation needed."

Hall and Kevin Dawson (hamstring) will still be out for a while, but Dean Moxey, Aaron Jarvis and Finley Craske should all be back in the next week or two.