Plymouth Argyle youngster Joe Hatch signs on loan at Torquay United

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton has gone back to his old club Plymouth Argyle to sign young striker Joe Hatch on loan.

The deal was finalised on Friday, as the Gulls prepared to travel to Enfield Town without their two suspended leading scorers Louis Dennis and Jordan Young.

Wotton had said in his pre-match press conference that he had ‘good forward options’ to cope without Dennis, who is banned for three games, and Young, who is out for one.

But it’s clear that the United boss and owners the Bryn Consortium are determined to do everything possible to keep the club’s promotion push on track.

They now have both Hatch and fellow 19-year-old Kieran Wilson (Exeter City) on loan from their EFL Devon neighbours, as well as experienced duo Cody Cooke and Matt Jay ahead of an important week in which they play Enfield away, Farnborough at home next Tuesday and then Hornchurch (2nd) away.

Braunton-born Hatch has made seven first-team appearances for Argyle, including six this season under manager Tom Cleverly.

The teenager brings extra pace to Wotton’s squad.

Meanwhile, with more rain forecast over the next few days, United are poised to put covers on the most vulnerable areas of the Plainmoor pitch, in an effort to safeguard the surface for the Farnborough game.