FORGOTTEN man Darren Powell is set to be thrown in at the deep end for his first game in almost nine months at struggling Torquay this weekend.

George Burley's injury-hit squad travel to the Football League's bottom club in the FA Cup third round.

And the Saints boss is facing a selection dilemma ahead of the tie against a Gulls side who have only scored four goals in almost 23 hours of League Two action.

Burley has a long list of injuries to contend with and is also keen to give one or two of his jaded stars a rest after a hectic festive programme of four Championship matches in nine days.

But it's not that straightforward.

With Claus Lundekam last night undergoing an operation on the depressed fracture of his cheekbone, Burley may have to play Powell.

That's despite the fact the 30-year-old has not played even a reserve team game this season after injuring his posterior knee ligaments against Millwall at St Mary's in April last year.

Burley said: "I would like to give one or two a rest who I feel are maybe showing a little bit of tiredness and really need a break.

"Somebody like Darren Powell could come in.

"The problem is that the reserve league is very poor as far as games is concerned - there are very few games.

"We can play practise matches amongst the kids but you can see the players that haven't played look rusty.

"Claus had his operation last night and even though Darren hasn't had games we might have to put him in to try and get him fit because we need him playing."

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