TORQUAY United are set to sign young defender Angus MacDonald on loan from Reading.

The towering centre-back is travelling down to Plainmoor on Thursday, when it is hoped all necessary paperwork will be completed.

The deal will keep MacDonald with the Gulls until the end of the season and he would also be available for the play-offs, if necessary.

"He will train with us tomorrow and finalise his paperwork," said United manager Martin Ling. "The deal is actually a youth loan because Angus is 19 and that enables us to keep him here for longer, if required.

"He is a big centre-half and rated very highly by the people at Reading. They see him as a massive prospect for the future and are happy for him to continue his education with us.

"It gives us extra cover at centre-back after the departure of Chris Robertson last week."