Plymouth Argyle’s injury crisis has started to ease a little but four key players are not expected back before the end of the year, head coach Wayne Rooney has confirmed.
Defender Brendan Galloway played for the first time for the Pilgrims since late September in the 2-1 Championship defeat by Swansea City at Home Park last night. He had been ruled out by an ankle injury he picked up on international duty with Zimbabwe and was able to get through the whole game.
Goalkeeper Conor Hazard was one of the Pilgrims’ substitute after more than three months out with an ankle injury as he took over from Marko Marosi as the back-up to Dan Grimshaw.
However, Argyle continue to be without captain Joe Edwards, whose leadership is being sorely missed at the moment, because of a hamstring injury, as well as the loan pair of Ibrahim Cissoko (groin) and Muhamed Tijani (hamstring), and Morgan Whittaker (toe).
The Pilgrims, who have won only one of their last 10 Championship matches, are going to be in desperate need of reinforcements in January, either those players returning from their injuries or new signings during the transfer window.
“None of them four will be back before January,” said Rooney, who revealed 18-year-old Freddie Issaka had been due to start against Swansea but was ruled out by illness.
Midfielder Caleb Roberts, 19, was also unavailable for selection for the same reason and there was a place on the bench for apprentice Tegan Finn.
It meant he missed out on playing in Argyle under-18s’ FA Youth Cup third round tie away to Carlisle United at Brunton Park last night, which ended in a 4-2 win after extra-time for Jamie Lowry’s side.
Cole Fisher opened the scoring for the Pilgrims with a first half penalty but Carlisle hit back to lead 2-1 and it was not until the 88th minute that Harry Shield equalised. Seb Campbell then scored in the first period of extra-time before Frankie Maund wrapped up the win in the 120th minute.
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