Torquay United striker fit to return after injury

Ofori-Acheampong's second Torquay 'debut' lasted just two minutes

Striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong will get another chance to win over Torquay United fans when he lines up for the Gulls against St Albans at Plainmoor on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Londoner joined United on a free transfer from Concord Rangers just in time to play in the FA Trophy tie at Hereford last month. But his second debut for United - he played for the Gulls through the 2014/15 season - lasted just over two minutes.

A distraught Ofori-Acheampong went down with a hamstring injury and had to leave the field with barely a touch of the ball to his name.

But Gulls boss Gary Johnson says he will be ready for action again on Saturday.
“The injury was not as bad as we first feared,” said Johnson. “He’s available for selection this week, which is good news.”

Ofori-Acheampong scored six times in 35 starts during his previous spell with Torquay.

Defeat at Worthing last weekend did not cost Torquay any league places, and they currently sit seventh in National League South, occupying the last play-off place.

But the chasing pack has made ground on them, and St Albans are one of the teams that could leapfrog them if things go badly on Saturday.

“They have done well,” said Johnson. “They are just behind us, so it’s a big game.”

But there are still 18 league games to go, and Johnson still has long-term injured players to return to his squad, including marksman Aaron Jarvis, who hasn’t played since picking up an injury at Weston-Super-Mare on October 24, 18 games ago.

“People will see a few ‘old new’ faces coming back into the team over those 18 games,” said Johnson. “It will be like having new signings.”

Tom Lapslie, Finley Craske and Asa Hall have made recent comebacks from injury, but United are still without Jarvis, Jack Stobbs, Ryan Hanson and Kevin Dawson. Goalkeeper Mark Halstead and defender Ross Marshall both went off injured at Worthing, while Will Jenkins Davies and Dean Moxey both have suspensions to serve for red cards.

Torquay travel to play a league match against FA Cup heroes Maidstone on Tuesday night.