Bevan primed for return to action

MANAGER Paul Buckle has expressed full confidence in his resident goalkeeper Scott Bevan in the wake of Southampton's decision to recall Michael Poke from his loan spell at Plainmoor.

The Saints have taken Poke back after their No.1 goalie Kelvin Davis injured his groin in Tuesday night's 3-1 League One win at Hartlepool.

The 24-year-old Londoner, who has been in outstanding form for the Gulls of late, would have been FA Cup-tied anyway for United's Second Round tie at Stockport County on Saturday.

Bevan, 30, will play at Edgeley Park, just as he did at Plainmoor in the last round when United beat Cheltenham 3-1.

But now the 6ft 5in tall ex-Southampton, MK Dons and Shrewsbury player, who has been hampered by achilles tendon trouble this season, will resume his first-team place, for league and cup games.

"Scott is ready to come in, his achilles is fine, and he's been training well," said Buckle.

"He's a very capable goalkeeper who has been terrific for us, and it's up to him now."

It's not clear whether Buckle will try to sign another goalkeeper as cover for Bevan.

Poke's loan ran until the opening of the January Transfer Window and, even if Davis recovers quickly, he cannot return to Plainmoor before then.

United's only other goalies are trainees Grant Fisher and Mike Searle.

But Buckle, who has brought in both Chris Zebroski from Wycombe and 18-year-old Adam Smith from Spurs on loan recently, is still busy on the phone.

For a start, United are in the process of confirming with Spurs that they are happy for full-back Smith to play in the FA Cup.

And there is a real possibility of more transfer movement before the loan deadline is reached at 5pm this afternoon.

Buckle was upbeat after United responded to last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Rotherham by drawing 2-2 at Port Vale on Tuesday night.

Nicky Wroe equalised for United in the first half with his seventh goal of the season.

Recalled striker Scott Rendell headed the Gulls in front from a Wayne Carlisle cross in the 67th minute, only for substitute Rob Taylor to earn a point for Vale nine minutes later.

"I thought it was a very good, open game of football in difficult conditions," said Buckle.

"We are never going to sit back, wherever we play in this league, and we tried to win the game from start to finish.

"We went very close. I know Port Vale put pressure on us at the end with the wind, but on good opportunities we had enough to win the game.

"We are finding our feet, week in and week out, and the players are disappointed that they've only drawn.

"We are desperate to turn these draws into wins, but one defeat in eleven games isn't bad."

A few players did not feel well during the trip to Staffordshire.

It certainly accounted for winger Danny Stevens' absence, and Buckle also rested striker Tim Sills, who had not felt 100 per cent against Rotherham, and recalled Rendell up front.

"Scott has been very patient," said Buckle.

"If you get the ball in the box, we know he can score goals, but I want him to be more aggressive and be the sort of target man that Tim has been for us.

"Scott scored a great goal and, if he can get his all-round game right, he's got a real chance of starting regularly."

There was another fine display by young Smith, who had made an eye-catching debut against Rotherham.

Buckle described the Spurs teenager, who again played at left-back, as "magnificent".