Western Morning News (Saturday)
Wynter forecast to feature for Gulls in Trophy
BEN Wynter could be given a run out when Torquay United face Southport today in the fifth-round of the FA Trophy.
Wynter has been out injured since December 1 when the Gulls beat Wealdstone 2-1, and his absence has been felt at right back where Sam Sherring and more recently Joe Lewis have been filling in.
The return of the 23-year-old, who signed for the Gulls in July 2018, and has been an important part of Gary Johnson’s squad since the manager arrived the following September, will be a huge boost.
Torquay might still be top of the National League, nine points clear of nearest rivals Sutton United, but they were poor when they lost 2-1 at home against Altrincham on Saturday, and they will want to go into Tuesday night’s home league game against Wealdstone on the back of a win.
Johnson said: “Ben Wynter is a lot closer now. He has been training normally so we may take the opportunity to give him some game-time.
“We know Ben is a great player so it will be good to do that. Gary Warren is the same, he is now ready for selection.”
After beginning the game against Altrincham without a recognisable striker – though Connor Lemonheigh-Evans has been playing in the No 10 role all season – it will be interesting to see what Johnson chooses to do on Saturday. When the manager did introduce strikers Billy Waters and Rob Street after an hour, things didn’t really improve.
It feels like the team is missing the quality and experience of Danny Wright up front at the moment, but Johnson reports the 36-year-old will not be back soon. Wright had an operation on his hamstring problem just after Christmas and the manager says it went well but it will be a slow process getting the player back to full fitness.
“Danny reacted to the operation very well – for an ‘old man’,” said Johnson. “He feels very comfortable. It was a very successful operation and he is walking on it normally.
“But it is still going to take time as hamstrings have to heal and it takes six to eight weeks. That’s what we have to wait for, of course. He feels he will be back before the end of the season.”
Southport haven’t played a game for two weeks while the National League North has been suspended because of the ‘loans not grants’ row. The North and South divisions are supposed to start again on Saturday but there are teams who are still saying they will not play.
The clubs in the three National League divisions have been asked to vote on the season ending and a deadline has been set by the league for February 28. Southport have already reported on the club’s website they have voted to end the North and South divisions.
A statement thanked Torquay for agreeing to take coronavirus tests ahead of the match. It said: “It is our intention to play this fixture after undertaking two rounds of testing for the full playing squad and staff, and having received confirmation from Torquay that they will also test.
“Our squad was tested on Wednesday, all returning negative results, and will be tested again before the fixture on Saturday. We are grateful to Torquay for their confirmation that the travelling players and staff will be tested.”
George Newell and Adam Anson scored the goals when Southport went to FC Halifax Town and won their fourth-round tie on January 19. But they are only 17th in the NL North table with four wins from 14 games.
Johnson said: “We know a lot about them. Of course, they are going through the situation of wondering when their next game is going to be.
“But, as it stands, we are looking forward to the game, it’s a trophy that we want to stay in and go as far as we can because it’s a good competition. It’s a very important game.”
We are looking forward to the game, it’s a trophy that we want to stay in and go as far as we can GARY JOHNSON