Tim Sills

Sills on the comeback trail for Gulls

Torquay United have received a welcome boost with news that top scorer Tim Sills is on the verge of making a return to first-team training.

The 29-year-old striker started some light training this week after a successful operation on his fractured cheek.

And although he is not yet fully healed, Sills is hopeful he'll be given the go ahead to attend a full training session next week.

He told the club's official website: "I have had a plate put in my cheek bone just to get the shape of my cheek back to what it should be and the surgeon said that it had already started to heal.

"As soon as the swelling goes down, which will take three or four days, I should be ready for full training.

"I have got another appointment on Monday to see if I will need another mask so we will take it from there.

"There is a good buzz around the squad ahead of the final and I would rather be in full training with them but we have a full weeks training ahead of us so there was no need to rush back today."

Meanwhile, fellow forward Blair Sturrock has not been as fortunate with his injury prognosis and he is expected to miss the play-off final on May 17 because of injured knee ligaments.