Opening of the transfer window spells little immediate change at Torquay United

Manager Paul Wotton has countered speculation that Torquay United are fielding approaches for their best players in the January transfer window.

There have been rumours that the Gulls might have received offers for one or more of their leading performers.

But asked this week whether any bids had been made, Wotton said: “No, nothing on that.”

It’s hardly a surprise that some United players have been watched by higher club scouts this season, but that’s a regular part of football.

Meanwhile, Torquay have sent a fourth young player out on loan – midfielder Aidan Edwards has joined Southern League Brixham AFC.

Edwards has made four substitute appearances for the Gulls this season, but the return to fitness of senior players Matt Worthington and Munashe Sundire, both midfielders, has nudged him further away from first-team contention.

He joins Jadyn Crosbie (Dorchester), Matt Carson (Taunton) and goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott (Tiverton) out on loan at Westcountry clubs.

There has been a quick rearrangement of the Gulls’ NL South game at Dover Athletic, postponed last Saturday.

The fixture will now be played on Tuesday, February 3 (7.45pm), falling between scheduled matches against Hornchurch away (Jan 31) and Dorking Wanderers at home Feb 7).

United are also in the throes of recruiting new staff as part of the club’s recent off-pitch ‘restructuring’.

Among the departees were commercial manager Sharon Musker and groundsman Julian Gouldthorpe, both high-profile posts.

No permanent replacements have yet been made, but general manager Tim Herbert reports that interim arrangements are in place.

The care of the Plainmoor pitch is one issue, especially in the face of testing midwinter weather, but Herbert says: “We have an experienced and qualified team of people who are helping us and maintaining the pitch to its high standard.”

The surface was verti-drained ahead of this week’s heavy rain and in anticipation of more wet weather before United host Maidstone United on Saturday week (Jan 17).