Hall And De Silva back to boost Gulls

The imminent return of Asa Hall and Dillon De Silva may have eased the urgency for Torquay United to hit the transfer market, but nothing will do that job better than a victory over Maidstone United at Plainmoor on Saturday (3pm) – and another one against the same opponents in the FA Cup seven days later (writes Dave Thomas).

The Gulls have lost loanees Will Jenkins Davies and Luke Pearce back to Plymouth Argyle and Southampton respectively, which would normally have a manager like Gary Johnson reaching for his mobile.

United are still looking to strengthen, but Johnson was happy to report that both midfield captain Hall and winger De Silva are in full training after ankle and muscle injuries.

And he stressed: “People may say we haven’t got cover in our squad, but I think we do have cover in all areas, other than possibly a 6ft 5in No. 9.”

Strikers Aaron Jarvis and Bradley Ash have scored eleven goals between them.

So Pearce wasn’t able to force his way into the side, and any other new loanee up front is going to want to do more than warm the subs’ bench.

With due respect to Pearce, Jenkins Davies feels like a bigger loss, because the Argyle teenager had become a midfield regular in recent weeks.

Johnson confirmed that he will almost certainly try to get Jenkins Davies back when he recovers from his injury.

Hall will need time and games to regain full fitness, but it’s results that decide everything in the end, and an improving Maidstone side including former Gull Lucas Covolan in goal will surely prove a sterner test than Hungerford Town did in the FA Cup (5-0) last week.

The Stones will be back here in the Cup on Oct 14, and Johnson commented: “Double-headers are always interesting, and both teams will know a lot about each other over the two games.

“They’re only one point and one place behind us. Both are very important games for both clubs, and we’ve got to be ready for that.”

Covolan may be the Maidstone player most instantly recognisable for Gulls fans, but even at 6ft 4in, he’s not the biggest man in the visitors’ side.

Leading scorer Levi Amantchi, who has eight goals in eleven games to his credit, just tops Covolan, and the Stones’ attack also includes six-footers Razzaq Coleman De-Graft and new loan signing Joe Gbode, 18, from Gillingham.

The manager is former Wolves, Colchester and Leyton Orient centre-half George Elokobi.

Saturday’s referee is Jack Bloxham from Hertfordshire.

In the wake of a 6-3 FA Youth Cup win over Falmouth Town on Thursday night, the Gulls Under-18s will try to continue their flying start to the season against Bath City in the SW Counties Youth League Cup at South Devon College on Saturday morning (10.30am).

The goals against Falmouth came from Gene Price (2), Riley Crawford, Andrew Ellis, Kai Swann and an OG.

The United Women’s team is also at home on Sunday (2pm), against Selsey Ladies at Wall Park, Brixham, in the National League Division One South.