Preview - Eastleigh v Torquay

Eastleigh boss Ronnie Moore has said that his goalkeeper Ryan Clarke wants to get back out on the pitch despite the pain and tragedy of sadly losing his father at the weekend.

Moore said: “Ryan’s dad liked football and that’s why he got involved in the game.

“His dad would have wanted him to play and Ryan wants to handle things his way.

“Playing will keep his mind focused on something different for an hour-and-a-half and all the pain comes back after the game.

“At this moment he says he feels fine to do it, but that could change tomorrow if he’s not mentally right.”

In terms of injury news, Moore says that Reda Johnson is likely to miss out on Tuesday night's game at home to Torquay due to a hamstring injury.

“It’s tightened up a bit on the same leg and possibly there’s a bit of scar tissue.

“We’ll leave it to the last minute, but I think Reda might give tomorrow a miss and get himself right for Saturday (away at Barrow). If so, Connor Essam will step in.”

The Spitfires boss also commented on how tight the league table is at the moment with a number of clubs all challenging to be in and around the play-off positions. Moore said: “It’s crazy. If we win and results go our way, we could be right up there.

“We’ve got to make sure we hang on in there. We’ve played a lot of the top teams away from home, so we’ve got some big games to look forward to at our place.

“It’s the games that aren’t as tricky on paper that trip you up and that’s where (league leaders) Forest Green have been very professional.”

Speaking of Eastleigh's next opponents Torquay, Moore said: "They're no mugs. They’ve beaten Dagenham and drew 0-0 with Aldershot on Saturday.

“This is a tough week with Barrow to come on Saturday (12.15pm, BT Sport). We’ve got to be on our game.”

Brave goalkeeper Clarke wants to soldier on for Eastleigh

GOALKEEPER Ryan Clarke has indicated he will play for Eastleigh at home to Torquay United tomorrow night (7.45pm) despite family heartbreak. Clarke was on his way up to meet the squad for Saturday's game at Lincoln, but had to turn round when news reached him that his father Ernie had taken a turn for the worse following open heart surgery.