ARGYLE striker Ashley Barnes is considering a loan move to League Two strugglers Torquay United.

Head coach Paul Mariners believes it would benefit the 20-year-old frontrunner, but is ready to leave the decision to him.

Barnes has made four starts and five substitute appearances for Argyle this season, and scored in the 4-1 home rout of Reading on December 28.

But his prospects of more first team football have been reduced by the arrival of USA international striker Kenny Cooper and the return to fitness of Bradley Wright-Phillips after a long-term knee injury.

Cooper has been signed by Argyle on loan from German Bundesliga 2 club 1860 Munich for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old made his debut for the Pilgrims as a second-half substitute for Rory Fallon in the 1-0 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Barnes was not included among Argyle's substitutes for that match.

Torquay boss Paul Buckle wants to add more power to his attack, and has set his sights on signing Barnes.

The Gulls, who are 21st in League Two – seven points clear of the relegation zone – lost the services of striker Scott Rendell at the end of January because of a broken arm.

It is thought he will be out of action for around four weeks, leaving Buckle with Elliot Benyon and Chris Zebroski, the former Argyle prospect, as his only two strikers.

Mariner spoke to Barnes yesterday about the possibility of moving to Torquay on loan.

He said: "Ashley is fully in the loop. I have put the ball in his court.

"If he wants to go he can go, but if he doesn't want to go it's fine."

Mariner admitted another Football League club had been interested in signing Barnes on loan, but that was not his preferred option.

He said: "From the coaching staff's selfish point of view, Torquay is close at hand and he can come in one day a week so we can monitor him.

"And, obviously, we know Paul (Buckle) really well.

"From our viewpoint, it's better for a young player to be under our close attention," added the Pilgrims' head coach.

"Ashley needs to get into the battle-zone. With the signing of Kenny, and Bradley coming back, it might be best for his development (to sign for Torquay)."

Barnes had a successful two-month loan spell with Conference club Eastbourne Borough last season, scoring five goals in eight games.

He soon forced his way into Argyle's first team on his return to Home Park and signed a two-year contract extension towards the end of the campaign.

Mariner said: "Ashley has got a lot of the attributes that you want in a striker. He's mobile and aggressive.

"It's like all young players, he just needs to work on his awareness and his first touch.

"I think he's at a stage where it's probably a good idea for him to go out on loan and, hopefully, be a star (for Torquay) and help them."

Football League clubs can make 'emergency loan' signings from tomorrow until Thursday, March 25.

Mariner was hoping Argyle would bring someone in before the relegation six-pointer against Reading at the Madejski Stadium tonight.

He had one target in mind, almost certainly a defender, but even if a loan deal is completed in time, the player will not feature in the clash with the Royals.

Meanwhile, Mariner has given his squad clear instructions on how best to prepare for the busy schedule of matches between now and the end of the season.

Argyle have five more fixtures this month, starting against Reading tonight, followed by another eight in March.

There are then six further games before the end of the Championship campaign.

Mariner said: "The players are aware of the tough run-in, with a game every four days or so.

"We have stressed how important rest is, as well as their eating habits and hydration. All the usual stuff.

"But they do that anyway because they are a great group."