Gulls ready to ascend

TORQUAY United can climb above visitors Hereford United in Coca-Cola League Two with a Boxing Day win over the Bulls at Plainmoor (3pm).

Torquay, in 19th place on 22 points, are set to be at full strength for Saturday's eagerly-anticipated home clash against a side two places and three points above them in the table.

The Gulls head into the match in top form having scored nine goals in their last two matches, hitting five with no reply against basement side Darlington last time out at Plainmoor.

Gulls boss Paul Buckle – a guest at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week – is anxious his team "stay focused" and on a roll. Looking forward to the festive fixture, Buckle enthused: "It's important that we carry on where we left off at Stockport.

"It was a disappointment that we didn't play at Crewe last week but we refocus. We will kick on in training, the boys will be back at it in training, and then be encouraged to carry that into Saturday's match, which – as ever – is vitally important to us.

"The message from me and my staff to the squad will be 'keep doing what you have been doing'. The last two matches the players have set new standards for themselves. It's important they maintain them.

"They realise that they have to fight for the right to play their football and if they do that there is no reason why we cannot keep scoring goals, winning games and moving up the table.

"I have every confidence in them, especially after scoring nine goals in two games. I don't think there are many other teams across the divisions that have done that recently.

"It's all about focusing on doing the right things. We have been doing that and getting the rewards. Now we have got to go and do it again and if we do, we will get our reward.

"The fans will also have their part to play. Hopefully they will be there in numbers again and I would like to thank them for getting behind me over the two and half years that I have been at the club.

"They are a credit to the club and their support over these past two and a half years has been invaluable. They really are different class."

Buckle's selection is boosted by the return to full fitness of on-loan Tottenham teenage full back Adam Smith.

The England Under-19 international suffered a foot injury in the 4-0 FA Cup second round win over Stockport County at Macclesfield and was replaced at left back by Kevin Nicholson after 62 minutes.

But Smith is back in training – Buckle checked in on him during his visit to watch Tottenham train on Monday – and in contention for Saturday as free scoring United bid to build on their recent goal glut.

The Gulls will be itching to get back to match action following the postponement of last Saturday's league match at Crewe Alexandra, due to a frozen pitch.

Hereford will also be looking forward to playing again as their home game against Lincoln City last Friday was postponed because of a frozen pitch. Both sides played on the Tuesday before.

While Torquay were scoring four to set up an FA Cup third round home tie against Brighton, Hereford were beaten 4-1 by Albion's League One rivals MK Dons in the Johnstone's Paint League Trophy Southern section semi final at Edgar Street.

Bulls boss John Trewick made a handful of changes to the team that lost 3-1 at Macclesfield in the league on December 12 for the home Trophy tie, when former Torquay target man Leon Constantine levelled the scores just after the hour before a late Dons goal rush.