Torquay United captain Asa Hall expected back soon

There is much better news on the fitness front for Torquay United captain Asa Hall, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

The Gulls had expected midfielder Hall, 37, to be out for up to eight weeks because of ligament damage, but it now seems that the club's longest serving player might be back by the New Year.

"The results of the scans have come back, and Asa's injury is not as bad as first thought," reported manager Gary Johnson.

"It looks like two to three weeks, rather than eight."

Hall sustained the injury in United's 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge recently, although he managed to finish that match.

But he was unavailable for last Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Oldham Athletic, where Johnson ended up making two substitutions at half-time, sending on fit-again midfielders Tom Lapslie and Brett McGavin after a disappointing first half display.

Hall will still miss Saturday's FA Trophy tie at home to Chippenham Town and probably the Boxing Day derby against Yeovil Town at Plainmoor, but it will be a real boost if he can recover in time for the New Year's Day return at Yeovil or soon afterwards.

Johnson hopes to have some selection options for the Trophy, when clubs often 'rotate' their squads, but he stressed at Thursday's weekly press conference: "We haven't totally decided yet (on the team).

"We've got a squad where we can change three or four, and not weaken it too much.

"We'd like to stay in the Trophy as long as we can.  What we don't want to do is pick anyone we're guessing about."

United have cut prices for the Chippenham tie to £10 adults (£8 Concessions) in advance and £12 on the day, anywhere in the ground.