Branch Joining Torquay United?

Rumours are circulating that former Everton and Wolves striker Michael Branch is about to sign for Torquay United.

The 28-year-old hitman retired from football last year but may be tempted to step back out onto the field to help the Gulls firepower.

Branch knows Colin Lee from their time together at Wolves and Lee has stated that he expects a striker to be signed in time for Saturday’s home encounter against Darlington. Gulls Head Coach Keith Curle also knows the striker from when the pair were at Chester City.

Branch has Premiership experience with Everton and has also had spells with Man City, Birmingham, Reading, Hull and Bradford. He made almost 250 career apperances, scoring over 40 goals before hanging up his boots where he is now involved in property development.

Torquay are desperate for a goal-scorer after failing to find the back of the net in the last three games, scoring just 27 league goals this season in 34 matches. Only one goal has been scored since the departure of Jamie Ward who was sold on transfer deadline day and Branch could be the man to help the Gulls beat the drop.

With no competitive action for Branch in almost a year, this would be a gamble. But what have we got to lose? Lee Thorpe needs a partner in attack and Chris McPhee and Jamal Easter have both proved that they are not the solution.

This is just a rumour but the old saying goes that there is no smoke without fire.