TORQUAY UNITED have re-signed their promotion-winning keeper Michael Poke in a four-month loan deal from Saints this afternoon.

United need cover for the precarious fitness of their first-choice goalie Scott Bevan, who – despite being in fine form in the early weeks of this season – is nursing a niggling Achilles tendon problem.

It is a hangover from the injury which finally knocked him out of United’s Blue Square Premier promotion push last April.

The Gulls’ 6ft 6in tall keeper needs more rest and treatment for the problem to clear up.

Poke, 23, nearly re-joined Torquay before Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Bradford City.

But his partner was about to go into labour to have their first baby and the deal was postponed until this week.

This is the third time that Poke has signed for United on loan.

He had an impressive spell with the Gulls in 2007-2008.

He had just started a second, season-long loan at Plainmoor when he was injured last September, prompting the permanent signing of Bevan from Shrewsbury.

When Bevan was counted out last spring, fit-again Poke came back into the side.

He then played a key role in United’s last few matches, including outstanding displays in the play-offs against Histon and the final against Cambridge United (2-0) at Wembley.

Saints have included a recall clause in the deal.