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Two points from their last ten matches has seen City slide down to a dismal 17th position in the table, and manager Chris Brass can only watch from the sidelines against the Gulls has he continues to serve his four-match ban. At least two changes have already been forced upon the player-boss, as Mark Ovendale is set to miss his first match of the season after picking up five yellow cards. Chris Porter will be looking to grab his first opportunity to impress at first-team level following some impressive recent displays for the reserves.

The other player certain to drop out of the line-up is Lee Bullock, who has joined First Division side Cardiff City on loan for the remainder of the season with the intention of earning a permanent deal at Ninian Park. His departure leaves the door open for Andy Bell, who came off the bench to score a consolation in Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to Scunthorpe. Bell is likely to partner stalwart Lee Nogan up front, but Levent Yalcin will also be pushing for a start and the chance to open his City account.

Further changes may well occur in the centre of defence, as Richard Hope is expected to be back after a brief spell out with a thigh injury, and Chris Smith hoping for a recall. After shakey midweek performances against the Iron, none of the three young centre-backs can take their place for granted, and so perhaps only one of Wise, Wood and Davies will find their names on the teamsheet for Saturday's match. The midfield is one area which could be left unchanged as there is little competition following the departures of Brackstone, Dickman and Walker. The only player who might push Ward, Dunning and Cooper for their places is young Matthew Coad, who was recently one of four youth-team players offered professional contracts.

Possible team - Porter; Smith, Hope, Wise; Merris, Edmondson, Ward, Cooper, Dunning; Nogan, Bell.

By contrast to the Minstermen, Torquay's recent form has been superb, and the 25 points they have gained in their last 9 matches have seen them rise to 5th place. Leroy Rosenior's men look odds-on to extend that run against a hapless City, with relatively few injury worries holding them back. One player who will miss out is the experienced Tony Bedeau, who begins a three-match suspension as a result of his dismissal against Carlisle.

Jason Fowler is the only serious injury problem, and although Alex Russell and Craig Taylor picked up tweaks in training this week, both are expected to be fit in time for the long trip up North. Elsewhere goalkeeper Arjan van Heusden is trying to break back into the team after being dislodged as the Gulls' first-choice keeper. Other than the absent Bedeau and Fowler, Rosenior can lay claim to a full-strength squad.

Possible team - Dearden; Canoville, Woods, Taylor, McGlinchey; Broad, Hockley, Russell, Hill; Graham, Kuffour.

Form guide

City: Lincoln (h) L 1-4, Boston (a) L 0-2, Oxford (a) D 0-0, Kidderminster (a) L 1-4, Scunthorpe (h) L 1-3.

Torquay: Huddersfield (h) L 0-1, Hull (a) W 1-0, Scunthorpe (h) W 1-0, Boston (h) W 2-0, Carlisle (h) W 4-1.


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