TORQUAY UNITED manager Paul Buckle is poised to make his second 'new' signing of the summer, and the player could be in the Gulls' line-up to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in tonight's Plainmoor friendly (7.45pm).

United are believed to have agreed terms with a Championship club to take a striker on a season-long loan, writes David Thomas.

Buckle confirmed that a deal is close, but he declined to reveal any details overnight.

It is not likely, with young ex-Swindon forward Ben Joyce already on board, that Buckle will be going in for another inexperienced player.

The Gulls' boss has also pulled back from a couple of new signings in the last few weeks, because he was concerned that the players might not fit in with the tight-knit Plainmoor dressing-room.

The Gulls' boss insists that he will not jeopardise the team spirit which has served United so well over the last two years, to add to his squad at any price.

He reported: "These next couple of new players have to be right on the field, right off it and within our budget — and that's a tough ask.

"To get the whole of the dynamic to fit isn't easy, but it's a challenge I'm up for.

"The squad we've built up has got us where we are, and there's a special spirit among them.

"We've been close to a couple of late, but I won't sign any player who I don't think will help our dressing-room.

"We'll get there, but only if it's right."

When United, as a Conference team, and League One Brighton last met, in an FA Cup Second Round tie at Plainmoor in December 2007, the visitors won 2-0.

Nine members of the Gulls' starting eleven 18 months ago are still in the Plainmoor camp — goalkeeper Martin Rice, Lee Mansell, Chris Todd, Chris Robertson, Kevin Nicholson, Danny Stevens, Chris Hargreaves, Tim Sills and Elliot Benyon.

Only skipper Hargreaves (calf) is likely to miss out tonight.

United are into the closing stages of their pre-season campaign now.

Buckle, who watched last Saturday afternoon's Luton v Peterborough friendly before driving back to take in United's evening kick-off at Tiverton (0-1), said: "Training over the next two weeks is going to be built around discipline and making us hard to beat.

"Sometimes that's not so easy on the eye, but it's going to be very important.

"I thought we did really well against Derby (0-0) last week, but there were certain things I wasn't happy with at Tiverton.

"I understand the circumstances — several of the younger lads had played at Dartmouth the night before, they were probably a bit nervous and Tiverton are a decent side.

"But we have set certain standards, and we cannot drop below them."

Both Tim Sills and Lee Mansell are back from injury and sickness respectively.

Mansell's return is timely, because Buckle has released trialist Ben Starosta, who played in the Derby game.

Buckle did say: "I've got to be a bit careful with Lee.

"He's always raring to play, but he has been ill and I have to decide whether it's right to start with him straight away."

Five members of Brighton's 2007 Cup team will be in their squad — veteran goalie Michel Kuipers, Andrew Whing, Adam El-Abd, Dean Cox and 35-year-old striker Nicky Forster.

Forster, who scored both goals to win the tie at Plainmoor, may well start after recovering from injury.

He was a second-half sub in Albion's 1-0 loss to Crawley Town in their last friendly on Friday night.

Sidelined at the Broadfield Stadium were club stalwart Gary Hart and Kevin McLeod.

Manager Russell Slade has made seven summer signings so far.

They include Welsh international defender Andrew Crofts from Gillingham, goalkeeper Graeme Smith from Motherwell, midfielder Mark Wright from MK Dons, centre-forward Liam Dickinson from Derby, two of Dickinson's former Stockport teammates Gary Dicker and James Tunnicliffe and Matt Thornhill on loan from Nottingham Forest.

Also on trial at the Withdean Stadium are left-back Andreas Chronis (AEK Athens), Alan Navarro, Danny Smith and Jamie Spiller.

United are believed to be close to appointing a new physio, to succeed the departed Damien Davey.

Chief executive Colin Lee says he also hopes to announce the arrival of a new commercial manager this week.