Dsane's fitness boosts options
Winger Dsane faces a fight to get back into the Gulls' starting line-up following the eye-catching display from replacement Danny Stevens during Monday night's 1-0 win at Burton Albion.
But he has come through two days of training with no side-effects from the knock that forced him off during the second half of last Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Kettering Town.
The Gulls have clawed back six points in their pursuit of Burton this week, and a string of other results also went their way in the play-off race – now United need to capitalise with another masterful home performance to match last Saturday's.
"All that has gone now, and we've got to focus on Saturday which is a massive game for us," said Buckle, who must also consider which front line to go with.
Loan signing Blair Sturrock has impressed with Tim Sills since joining from Swindon Town, but three high-tempo games in nine days has been a tough ask for the 27-year-old Scot, whose last competitive start for the Robins came back in December.
"His hamstring was a bit stiff which is to be expected when you haven't played a lot of football," explained Buckle.
"You always run that risk when you bring a loan player in who hasn't played much, but we just have to nurse him through it.
"We took him off on Monday night, and Elliot Benyon came on and did really well."
Reds boss Steve Evans, meanwhile, has been quick to play up his side's part as underdogs ahead of their tough Easter weekend – after tomorrow's game, they host Stevenage Borough on Monday.
"I have nothing but total respect for Torquay and Stevenage," said Evans. "Both are big clubs with big resources and terrific supporters but it will solely come down to what the players do on the pitch, and I have players that are as good as any at this level of football.
"In many respects Torquay and Stevenage have more to lose than we do.
"We are not expected to make the play-offs now but should we beat Torquay, their championship challenge would be ended.
"My players know what it would mean if we were to win both of our games this Bank Holiday weekend, but it's one game at a time.
"No one in the country will expect us to get six points from these two very tough fixtures but this squad of players are capable, so at the very least that gives us a chance."
Crawley's former Gulls goalkeeper Simon Rayner will make his first appearance at Plainmoor tomorrow since being released last summer.
Meanwhile, United have three former Reds among their ranks hoping to put one over on their former employers.
Elliot Benyon spent three months on loan at Broadfield Stadium in 2007, as did Mustapha Carayol midway through the 2007/08 campaign.
And Tyrone Thompson was an ever-present in last season's Crawley side before heading south to join the Gulls in the summer.
Thompson in particular will be hoping for a better afternoon tomorrow than the previous clash between the two sides in August – he was sent off after just 10 minutes of United's 3-1 defeat in West Sussex.
Crawley will have Jake Wright available tomorrow – the midfielder was taken off during the 4-0 win over Burton despite the Reds having already used their three substitutes.
Assistant manager Paul Raynor yesterday revealed the withdrawal was a tactical one, to prevent Wright picking up a 10th yellow card.
After a week of favourable results elsewhere, the Gulls will be hoping for more of the same tomorrow.
Leaders Burton face another tough home test against Histon, while Cambridge United welcome Eastbourne Borough.
Kidderminster Harriers (who were due to play Ebbsfleet United last night) travel to Altrincham, Stevenage Borough host Ebbsfleet and Oxford United are at home to Wrexham.
Comment on this story