Shrewsbury Town aim to lay down a League Two automatic promotion marker at on-song Torquay tomorrow with boss Graham Turner insisting the race for a top three finish is not restricted to the breakaway top six.

Town make the long trip to the south west to take on a Torquay side who have reeled off five successive victories and notched 11 wins from their last 14 games.

That has propelled Martin Ling’s side into sixth spot, just one point and one position behind Shrewsbury.

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Torquay are now six points clear of Oxford but Town boss Turner is adamant the battle for automatic promotion is not restricted to the leading sextet, which also includes Crawley, Cheltenham, Southend and Swindon.

“You can never rule sides like Oxford, Gillingham, Port Vale and teams like that out,” he said.

“It’s possible to put a run together and bridge that gap so I don’t see it as three from six at this stage.”

Turner – whose side were beaten 5-0 in the League at Plainmoor last season and 2-0 in the play-off semi-final first leg – admits Torquay’s recent burst has been eye-catching.

But he insists his side could head to the English Riviera in buoyant mood after three successive wins of their own.

“They have had a terrific run and it has put them right in contention,” he added.

“Martin Ling knows what the game is about and he did well at Leyton Orient so it doesn’t surprise me.

“We have to continue with the theme of the last three matches – a lot of hard work and some good play.”

Town will be hoping midfielder Matt Richards recovers from a calf injury.

Defenders Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Reuben Hazell and Connor Goldson are all set to be sidelined as they continue their injury rehabilitation.

Striker Marvin Morgan serves the second of a three-match suspension for his sending off against Southend.

Rene Howe, the Torquay United striker whose petulant kick ruled Hazell out for five months, is a doubt for tomorrow’s clash after suffering a groin injury in training.

See also:

• No scars but Shrewsbury Town have score to settle against Torquay
• Shrewsbury Town injured trio give boost to Graham Turner
• Tom Bradshaw gets Graham Turner backing to find form