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.

Sadly his dad passed away on Saturday, but Clarke bravely reported for training this morning and told manager Ronnie Moore that he wants to play.

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

“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.”

Central defender Reda Johnson is a major doubt for the visit of the Gulls.

The former Coventry City centre-back has felt a tightening of the hamstring that kept him out for the best part of 12 months while with the Sky Blues.

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

“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.”

Eastleigh are tenth in the National League following Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Lincoln, but are only three points behind the third-placed Imps.

“It’s crazy,” said Moore. “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.”

Moore will expect that level of professionalism from the Spitfires tomorrow against 16th-placed Torquay.

“They’re no mugs,” he warned. “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.”