Torquay United boss Paul Wotton happy with his selection box for Tonbridge visit

After four months in which Torquay United have grappled with injuries often running to half-a-dozen players, manager Paul Wotton broke new ground in the build-up to Saturday’s home game against Tonbridge Angels (3pm).

The Gulls’ boss reported that, at last, he is NOT trying to sign anyone!

United, second in the National League South, are on a run of five successive league wins. They emerged injury-free from last weekend’s important 2-0 win at Chelmsford City.

Recent loan signings Sonny Sharples-Ahmed (Bolton) and Kieran Wilson (Exeter), who marked his debut off the bench with a spectacular opening goal in Essex, have settled in well.

Defender Ed Palmer is fit again and centre-forward Cody Cooke isn’t far behind him.

And ‘sanctioned’ duo Callum Dolan and Matt Worthington should also be back in the fold after the Tonbridge game.

United, who have done so well to turn adversity into their best run of the season, should head into Christmas and the New Year with something near to a full-strength squad.

“I am not actively looking to strengthen at the moment,” confirmed Wotton, which will be music to the ears of the Bryn Consortium as they seek to streamline the wider Plainmoor operation.

But first things first.

This Saturday is the last home game before Weston-super-Mare come to Plainmoor on Boxing Day.

Wotton must serve a one-match touchline ban against Tonbridge (17th) – he was reported for remarks he’s alleged to have made to the Fourth Official when the 3-2 win over Worthing recently ran well beyond the eleven minutes of signalled stoppage-time.

Wotton has stressed that consistency on the pitch only comes with consistent messages off it.

“Togetherness is easy when you’re winning games. When you’re not winning games – that’s when true character and resilience shows through,” he said.

“This squad deals with disappointment very well – a bit like last season, but maybe even more this year.”

Wotton is adamant that nobody should take Tonbridge lightly.

“It might not be as easy as some people think,” he says. “They’ve got a very good away record, much better than their home form.”

Ex-Millwall, Leyton Orient and Bromley defender Alan Dunne is the Angels’ fourth manager this year – previous incumbent Craig Nelson lasted only a couple of summer months after Jay Saunders and caretaker Scott Wagstaff.

The average age of Dunne’s starting XI against Hemel Hempstead (1-3) last weekend was only 23.

Tonbridge did lead in that match, but the dismissal of on-loan Wycombe midfielder Brody Peart cost them dear.

A home record of W1 D4 L5 looks worrying, but 15 points on the road (W4 D3 L3) speaks of a hard-working and, as Wotton also predicted, well-organised side.

Their attack will be led by experienced, much-travelled centre-forward Alfie Pavey, who was with Eastbourne Borough last season.

The top of the table currently sees Hornchurch (42) three points ahead of Torquay and Weston-super-Mare, with Worthing (36) fourth.

Hornchurch and Worthing are away to Maidenhead (13th) and Ebbsfleet (9th) respectively, while Weston go to Chelmsford in the FA Cup.

Saturday’s referee at Plainmoor is Zach Cunningham (Northampton), who has already handled United games at Maidstone and Salisbury this season.