Yeovil Town return to action for the first time in 18 days as Darren Sarll’s side visit Plainmoor on Boxing Day.
After enjoying a successful festive period against the Gulls last season, scoring eight goals across two fixtures, Sarll will be hoping for more fo the same this time round.
Torquay, who are managed by Yeovil Town legend Gary Johnson, currently lead the National League after a strong start but have dropped points in their last two league games.
Darren Sarll’s thoughts
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s cancelled FA Trophy clash about the Glovers recent training in lockdown, Sarll said; “I never subscribed to the full principles of the first lockdown period with the use of zoom meetings, but we thought as a squad it was important that we used that method to try to keep the same fitness levels up and better them ahead of a mad Christmas period.
“We were with the players every day, giving them home-workouts to complete, tough home workouts may I add, so that was a way in which we could keep on top of the players instead of being on the training field all week.
“We tried to keep that bond within the group especially with the new players as we wanted to ensure that they continued their integration with the team, so it was a lot to do over the period but a routine that kept us all focused and motivated throughout.”
Team news
The Glovers will be without central defender Luke Wilkinson on Saturday afternoon due to a suspension. Josh Staunton is also a likely absentee due to after picking up an injury against Eastleigh at the start of the month.
A foot in the opposition camp
The hosts will have an extremely familiar face to Glovers fans in the dug out with Johnson at the helm. Having already led the Gulls to promotion from the National league South in 2018/19, Johnson is going for his second in Devon, attempting to guide the Gulls back to the Football League.
After loosing their talisman Jamie Reid to Mansfield in the Summer, Johnson turned to Daniel Wright who was in the Cheltenham side that guided the London-born manager to his second National League title.
The Gulls also boast a familiar face on the pitch through former Glovers loanee Ben Whitfield.
Coverage
Under government restrictions, no Yeovil fans are able to attend the fixture, however there is a live stream available, linked HERE.
BBC Somerset will provide live audio commentary with social media updates available across the Yeovil Town channels.
