Angus MacDonald keen to stay with Torquay United until end of campaign

Centre-back Angus MacDonald is eager for his loan spell at Torquay United to be extended until the end of the season.

Former England Under-16 and Under-19 international MacDonald is poised to finalise a longer loan from Barclays Premier League side Reading early next week, just as senior defender Brian Saah is available again after a three-match suspension.

MacDonald said: "Brian coming back can only be good for us. But, with all respect, I would rather be with Torquay and fighting for a first-team place here than playing in the reserves at Reading. I think I've done OK in the last three games, and I'm hoping that I can stay for longer.

"I'd love to stay in the side too, but we'll just have to see how things go."

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MacDonald, 20, was also on loan at Plainmoor in the second half of last season, and Torquay manager Martin Ling brought him back in November as extra cover for first-choice centre-backs Saah and Aaron Downes.

His current loan is due to expire tomorrow, but Ling has already made it clear he wants to keep the Southampton-born youngster, and all parties seem to be in agreement.

United's assistant manager Shaun Taylor, a centre-half in his playing days, said: "Gus has done everything we could have asked of him so far – you'd have to say he's given seven or eight out of ten in each game."

MacDonald's current contract at Reading is up at the end of the season.

Torquay captain Lee Mansell, who played in the 3-2 npower League Two home defeat by AFC Wimbledon on New Year's Day with three stitches in a knee wound, was kept out of yesterday's training session, but Taylor stressed: "It was only to give Lee's knee a few more days to heal."

That process will be helped by the fact that the Gulls do not return to action until next Saturday, with a trip to Burton Albion, followed by the rearranged Devon derby against Exeter City at Plainmoor on Tuesday, January 15 (8pm).

Ling, who has said he is also on the look-out for a centre-forward in the January transfer window, is due to be out and about on scouting missions this weekend.

United have a blank day today because scheduled opponents Rotherham United are involved in the third round of the FA Cup. The League game against the Millers will now be played on Tuesday, February 12 (7.45pm).

A new date their other outstanding League fixture, away to Aldershot Town, is still being thrashed out.

Having returned from their Christmas/New Year break in midweek, United's youth team were due to meet their Plymouth Argyle counterparts in a Football League Alliance South West Conference fixture today at Elburton Villa, but that match has been postponed.