BUG THREAT TO GULLS SURVIVAL
Torquay Herald Express
Torquay United are facing an injury and illness crisis ahead of tomorrow's clash against fellow League Two strugglers Mansfield at Plainmoor (3pm).
The sight of influential midfielder Kevin Hill limping out of training was the last thing Cornforth wanted to see yesterday, with the Gulls boss already sweating over the fitness of several key players, including four first teamers who have been hit by a virus.
Steve Woods, Alex Lawless, Tony Bedeau and captain James Sharp are all less than 100 per cent having caught a sickness bug that is doing the rounds at the club, while Morike Sako is a doubt after his sore ankle swelled at training yesterday.
Matt Hockley and Jo Kuffour have both carried minor knocks this week, while winger Martin Phillips still hasn't trained at all as he struggles with a back injury, ruling him out once again.
On top of this, manager John Cornforth will also be without on-loan striker Lee Thorpe, who is suspended.
Craig Taylor, who has been out for almost two months with a back injury, is back in contention ahead of the match and, says Cornforth, anyone who is fit is likely to be in the squad!
The stakes are high, with Mansfield just six points ahead of the Gulls in 17th position.
The manager said: "Hilly dropped out of training with a sore knee and went to the doctor's afterwards to have it checked out. He doesn't know whether to kick or twist at the moment, and I can't say too much as it's hard to know how bad it is. But fingers crossed he'll be all right.
"Morike's ankle has swollen and he will be struggling to make the game. Then we've got Woods, Lawless, Bedeau and Sharpey all struggling with illness.
"They all trained today, but the bug has really hit us this week and there has been a lot of sickness and diarrhoea throughout the club. It's always the same when a bug hits a club - once one person has got it, four or five get it. They'll hopefully get it out of their systems before the game and they should all train (today).
"Craig Taylor has got five days of solid training under his belt now. The way things are going everyone is going to be in the squad - anyone who's fit. The way the bumps and bruises are going, the squad will pick itself.
"With the weather this week as well, it's been very frustrating in training, but we'll get on with it the best we can. We've got on with the training sessions despite the weather, and the boys have worked hard and we hope to go into the game with all guns blazing. We need to get the three points.
"I've had reports on Mansfield and have had them watched a couple of times, and had them watched against Wrexham on Saturday. I know the system they play and what they did last time, and am familiar with their set pieces."
Cornforth has also revealed that he has been frustrated in his attempts to lure a further loan signing to Plainmoor, and added: "I thought I was close on a couple but they have gone elsewhere. It's difficult to get players to come down here, and I know I'm not the first Torquay manager to say that.
"Players based in the Midlands will always want to stay closer to home, and not come all the way down here. But we'll just get on with it - we've got good players down here."