WHO wants to be top of the table going into Christmas? Not Stoke Gabriel manager Pete Gartrell, that's for sure.

Yet that's where the Broadley Lane side could be tomorrow after the clash with University of Exeter at the Topsham Sports Ground in Division One (East) of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League.

Going into the weekend, Stoke lie third, one point behind joint leaders Galmpton United Gents and defending champions Exeter Civil Service.

But Gents and Civil both have delayed fourth round Devon Premier Cup ties. And that creates an opportunity to open a two point lead should Stoke complete the double after trimming University 3-0 at home just a fortnight ago.

"I want us to win, of course I do," said Gartrell after he and joint first team manager Jason Couch announced that former Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle midfielder Kevin Wills is back in the squad after six weeks side-lined with a knee injury.

"Nevertheless, the thought of being top going into the Christmas period doesn't entirely fill me with glee.

"I'd prefer to be tucked in behind the front-runners at this stage of the season. In my book, out of sight, out of mind is better than being shot at every week."

The return of Wills will be gradual, with the team's talisman starting on the substitutes bench before being introduced at some stage.

"Even Kevin says he's unable to see out 90 minutes, so we shall take it step by step," said Gartrell, who will be without recent signing Jake Ellis (away with the English Colleges squad), but adds full-backs Mark Lovell and Martin Sutcliffe to the squad along with Wills.

Considering they've also been without the vastly experienced Mark Coombe (injured) in goal, Stoke have enjoyed shut-outs in their last three games against University of Exeter (league) and Sidmouth Town and Plymouth Parkway in the Devon Premier Cup.

"Chris Bashford has done well in Mark's absence, but let's put our results in the right context," added Gartrell.

"University are fifth from bottom, and Sidmouth and Parkway Reserves from lower leagues, so they were games we weren't expected to lose."

MIDFIELDER Craig Stonelake and central defender Lee Hayward return to the Teignmouth squad for their home game against Exmouth Town.

Both missed last Saturday's 4-2 Devon Premier Cup defeat at Appledore, with Stonelake the more likely of the two to start.

"Hayward has been troubled with an ankle injury after coming back too soon the last time, so we shall probably start with him on the bench," said Teigns' assistant manager Martin Jones.

Utility player Lee Willis also steps up from the Reserves to reinforce the bench after the Coombe Valley side travelled to Appledore with a squad of just 13.

"We acquitted ourselves well and striker Adam Fey could have had four on another day, but we didn't have the ammunition to beat them," admitted Jones.

"In particular, we didn't have enough options on the (substitutes) bench for anyone to come on and change the game, though hopefully it'll be different tomorrow if we need to change it."

Exmouth are on the up after a couple of bleak seasons, with former Royal Marines striker Ben Shepherd chiefly behind the resurgence.

"He's been the difference with his goals this season, so he offers the biggest threat," warned Jones.

LIVERTON UNITED (ninth in the table) and Totnes and Dartington Sports Club (sixth) are the two other South area teams in Division One (East) league action tomorrow when locking horns at Liverton.

Both approach the game with wins in their locker, Liverton having disposed of holders Boca Seniors (North Devon League) to reach the last eight of the Devon Premier Cup and T&D scoring four without reply at Okehampton Argyle.

"It's a local derby, Villa versus Blues," reckoned Liverton's joint first team manager and Aston Villa fanatic Tony Bowker, with opposing boss John Gayle having played for Birmingham City.

Bowker and co-boss Alan Hext were as satisfied to have squeezed in a game last Saturday as they were to put one over on Boca after a month of rained-off fixtures, but are forced into one change at least with central defender Rob Farkins having completed his Army leave.

"He's bitterly disappointed to lose out on the chance of playing against his brother (Richard) in the Totnes and Dartington side, but there are players coming back to fill in," said Bowker.

Farkins' most likely replacement will be centre-half Joe Pyrse, a former Torquay United Centre of Excellence player who lists Western League Barnstaple Town as his current first choice club.

"Joe is on his way back from injury, so we'll start with him in place of Farkins," confirmed Bowker.

Robbie Bowker, who is set for his first game since returning from America, Adam Shobbrook and Gareth Judkins add to Bowker and Hext's pre-match selection headache having travelled to North Devon last week with only 49-year old Mark Shears and 42-year old Steve Ware on the bench.

Meanwhile, Totnes & Dartington manager John Gayle adds defenders Joe Long and John Payne along with midfielder Lee Woodruff to the squad that won 4-0 at Okehampton Argyle a week ago.

Like Liverton, the South Hams side were just grateful for a game after being rained off for so long, but the pattern of their play came together nicely after an evenly fought opening quarter of an hour.

"It was a battle at first when we had to earn the right to play, but we seemed to get our feet under the table to play some positive stuff," praised Gayle, adding:

"We were strong on the bench, strong in midfield and created a lot of chances, while the two up front - Ryan Hare and Ben Bowhay - were really lively.

"It's going to be tough, especially with Liverton on a bit of a run at the moment, but we are starting on a little run and I see it being a game of chess."

OTHER fixtures in Division One (East) are at Alphington, who entertain Axminster Town, Budleigh Salterton (Bickleigh) and Endurance Park where the Royal Marines host Appledore.