Ryan Jarvis: I can shoot down Grecians

MANAGER Martin Ling may be looking to sign another forward, but Torquay United striker Ryan Jarvis believes he can spare his boss the trouble, starting in Monday night's return Devon derby at Exeter City.

Jarvis, 26, says that his form and confidence, undermined by a series of injuries in recent seasons, is back.

"I'm going out now expecting to play well, and expecting to score – I haven't felt like that for a while," said the former Norwich City, Leyton Orient and Walsall forward.

"Hopefully, I'll be in the team to play against Exeter – I just can't wait to get going again, have a run of games and score some more goals."

Jarvis admits that he benefited from United's latest postponement, at home to Chesterfield last Saturday, because it's allowed him more time to recover fully from his latest injuries.

He cracked a rib and punctured a lung after scoring in a 1-1 draw with Northampton Town on December 15 and then sustained a 'dead leg' kick in the 1-1 derby draw against Exeter at Plainmoor last midweek.

"Coming back within four weeks from puncturing my lung was very quick, and I think Damo (physio Damien Davey) was a bit cautious about throwing me back in," said Jarvis.

"I was fine as it happened, but he'll probably be pleased that I've had another week to let everything settle down. It's done me good."

Jarvis has scored eight times in 15 starts for United, first on loan and then after joining permanently last summer, but he's made 23 more appearances from the subs' bench.

He's hit six goals so far this season.

"I've played in every division in England, including the Premier League and the Championship, where I've done well, and I know I can play in this division comfortably," he said.

"League Two is different to the other divisions, tempo-wise and it can be a bit scrappy, but it's a question of putting your abilities to the right use.

"It was hard for me to get in the team earlier in the season, and I think it took the gaffer a while to realise that I can play in the attacking midfield role behind Rene (Howe).

"I think I've supplied a good attacking threat, now that I've played a few games in that position.

"Hopefully I can make it my own, push on and get amongst the goals.

"I've got a goal every other game at the moment, and I want to keep that going.

"We've got 20 games left and, if I play every game, I don't see why I can't score ten more.

"That's where I'm setting my target."

Norfolk-born Jarvis, who forced his way into Norwich's first team at 17, added: "I haven't been playing my best football over the last couple of years.

"Maybe my confidence dropped, and I stopped believing what I can do.

"But I've felt my confidence coming back, and that's probably the biggest change in me compared to the last two years.

"I'm enjoying the hard work and the graft again, because I know where it's taking me."

Gulls boss Ling revealed that former Exeter City striker Richard Logan has just started training with United, although a move for the ex-Torquay loanee is some way off.

Logan, 31, was freed by the Grecians last summer after five years at St. James' Park.

He's had brief spells with Wycombe and Dorchester this season and recently signed for his hometown club Bury Town in Suffolk.

Ling said: "There is no talk of a signing at the moment.

"He's back in Devon, staying with a friend and we've agreed to offer him training facilities with us.

"We'll obviously see what shape and form he's in while he's here, but that's as far as it goes for now."

United's backlog of fixtures – they must play a game every four days (15 in 59 days) during February and March after the Chesterfield match was rearranged for Tuesday, March 19 (7.45pm) – has prompted a new ticket offer.

The schedule includes three Tuesday night matches at Plainmoor – Rotherham (Feb 12), Wycombe (Feb 26) and Chesterfield (March 19) – and United have come up with a 'Three For £30' package to cover the lot.

The price for Concessions (O-65/Students) is £24.