PETER JACKSON today hailed Andy Holdsworth as Town's 'go to' guy in a crisis.
The 21-year-old wing-back could well continue in midfield against Torquay at Plainmoor tomorrow (1.00) after an impressive showing against Walsall.
Jackson has no qualms that Holdsworth - who graduated from the Academy as a midfielder - can handle the responsibility against Leroy Rosenior's south coast side.
And in praising the strength of the squad - who set off early today - the manager said:
"I wouldn't be frightened of playing Andy Holdsworth anywhere in the team.
"Midfield might even be his best position, but he has shown what a versatile player he is and he's a terrific prospect to have in the squad.
"At wing-back, centre-back and sweeper he would have no problem, midfield is obviously second nature and I wouldn't bet against him doing a job up front.
"I think both Andy and David Mirfin showed last week against Walsall what the England Under 20s are going to miss at the Galpharm on Sunday, but it was an excellent team performance against Walsall which we want to carry forward into tomorrow."
Jackson has midfielder Jon Worthington back from a one-match ban to replace Welsh Under 21 cap Lee Fowler in midfield, while Efe Sodje is available after a three-match ban to bolster defensive options.
All 18 available senior players travelled today.
"We had only 17 fit and available players last week and only Adnan Ahmed was left off the teamsheet," said Jackson.
"The other lads came in, though, and did a superb job for me and that shows the strength of the squad we've got here.
"I know people have doubted our quality at times, but I honestly believe that with the 22 players here this season we've got a stronger squad than with the 26 players we had last time."
Torquay Utd - (from): Gottskalksson, Bedeau, Woods, Taylor, McGlinchey, Phillips, Russell, Boardley, Gritton, Kuffour, Dearden, Villis, Hockley, Fowler, Meirelles, Canoville.
Town - (from): Gray, Brown, Lloyd, Clarke, Mirfin, Yates, Worthington, Holdsworth, Brandon, Mendes, Abbott, E Sodje, Carss, Senior, McAliskey, McCombe, A Sodje, Ahmed.
Referee - Trevor Kettle (Berkshire).
