At one point this season, I was hoping that this weekend would see a nice trip to the seaside and a chance to celebrate automatic promotion at least, if not the Championship. Our dip in form after Christmas, now hopefully over, and the incredible run of form produced by Hartlepool, means that this is going to be another chance to gain three points in the promotion push. It still, however, is a clash with a little more spice added to it than that, with the team up against former boss, Colin Lee.

The club have decided, rightly, to let the team travel down early, so they will have an overnight stay before the game.

Out of the squad are the long term injury absentees Ian Roper and Scott Dann. Two players amongst the possibilities to cover them are also unlikely to appear, as Allan Picken won’t be risked until he’s had another reserve team game and Geordie Lyall picked up an ankle injury in the reserves at Bradford, so may be doubtful.

The other slight problem is up front, where Per Cederqvist injured his back in the reserve clash, so is likely to miss out. With Butler, Sam and Benjamin as first choices, this may just give an opportunity for Troy Deeney to make the bench, after Money took him with the first team squad to Wycombe, with instructions to watch Tommy Mooney’s play carefully.

Tony Bedeau will be hoping to get a chance against his former employers, however, after scoring against Bradford.

The likely line up is:

Ince, Pead, Westwood, Gerrard, Fox, Harper, Dobson, Keates, Cooper, Sam or Benjamin, Butler.

With ex Walsall man Paul Smith out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, the main interest amongst the opposition is, of course, Colin Lee, their Director of Football. Saddlers fans always seem to be evenly split about Lee’s tenure at Bescot, but, whatever the rights and wrongs of the argument, he was Manager at the time of the most successful period in the club’s history. That won’t stop him getting a lively reception, however!

Out of the team injured, other than Smith, are defenders Craig Taylor, who has an Achilles problem, and Matt Villis.

Doubtful are defender Steve Woods, out with a knee injury since the start of last month, and on loan Sheffield United midfielder Lloyd Kerry, who has “picked up” a groin.

As you might expect, they have a host of loan players brought in to try and stop the rot, but the dangerous Marvin Williams has been recalled from his loan spell by Millwall following an injury to Darren Byfield. They have recently taken former player David Graham back on loan from Sheffield Wednesday and he can be a handful. Despite the massive numbers of players brought in and shipped out, by the way, they have still used 7 fewer than we managed last season!

Predictions?

Torquay go into the game a massive seven points short safety. Their home record is appalling, having won just 5 of 20 League games there, but there is a word of warning. They have won their last two at Plainmoor and those wins came against Wycombe and Stockport. That could be a sign that they are improving at last, but, it has to be said, Wycombe have blown up since Christmas and Stockport likewise since breaking that record, so it may not be as significant as it appears. I don’t often stick my neck out, but I’ll go for an away win.