Angus MacDonald given four-month trial in bid to win Torquay United contract
The extension of Angus MacDonald's loan to Torquay United from Reading could lead to a full-time deal for the 20-year-old centre-half.
MacDonald, who has started United's last three matches in the absence of the suspended Brian Saah, will be staying at Plainmoor until the end of the season.
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Torquay United
Torquay manager Martin Ling said: "It's a four-month trial, in effect.
"In all the last three games, Gus has stood up to the demands of League Two football well, and he will be a valuable part of the squad between now and the end of the season.
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"He has been with us once before and now he's got to prove that he deserves a longer contract next year."
Former England Under-16 and Under-19 centre-half MacDonald, whose current deal at Reading expires next summer, has already said that he wants to stay at Torquay and fight for a first-team place.
He now has to content with the availability of Saah, who will be back in contention for this Saturday's trip to Burton Albion after a ban that went all the way back to his dismissal at Bradford City on December 8.
"It's the longest three-game suspension I've ever known," said Ling. "It's like having a player back after a long-term injury.
"You always miss a player of Brian's quality, and that doesn't take anything away from the way Angus has played.
"Brian and Aaron Downes had a good partnership going before Bradford.
"We've got the most fixtures [22] in the division left now, because we've had games postponed for one reason or another. The more players available, the better."
As well as MacDonald, Ling is looking to sign a forward during the January transfer window.
The one outstanding fixture that needed to be rearranged – Aldershot Town away – has now been set. It will be played on Tuesday, February 19, at the Recreation Ground (7.45pm).
Saah's return is a boost, and there are more encouraging noises from the medical room.
Forward Ryan Jarvis has started cycling, as he recovers from a cracked rib and punctured lung, while other long-term casualties Ian Morris (Achilles tendon) and Lloyd Macklin (broken metatarsal) are hoping for go-aheads this week to step up their rehabilitation work.
If a scan on Billy Bodin's ankle later today is clear, he could be available for the Burton match. Right-back Joe Oastler is under treatment for ankle trouble, while skipper Lee Mansell resumed training yesterday.
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