Spanish defender Julio Pleguezuelo is in line to be available for selection for Plymouth Argyle’s home Championship match against Norwich City tomorrow.
The 26-year-old was ruled out of the 4-1 defeat by Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night after he suffered a mild concussion following a clash of heads during the game away to Preston North End last weekend.
Pleguezuelo has followed the concussion protocols which are in place for their own safety and to make sure they did not return to action before they are fully ready.
Manager Steven Schumacher said: “He trained today (on Thursday). He was on non-contact, that was part of his protocol. He got through it okay. I asked him how he was and he felt normal. Tomorrow (Friday) he can go in full contact and if he gets through that then he will be available for the weekend.”
It has been stop-start for Pleguezuelo since his summer signing for Argyle from Dutch top flight club FC Twente. He had a one-match suspension which carried over from the Netherlands so he could not play in the Pilgrims’ opening Championship game, a 3-1 home win against Huddersfield Town.
Then after eventually forcing his way into the first team for Championship matches there was a two-week international break before he suffered his concussion at Preston.
Schumacher reported there were ‘a couple of niggles’ among the Argyle squad following the defeat at Bristol City. “We are going to assess that in the morning and see how we get on,” he said. “The squad generally is in good shape. We have got good numbers out on the grass so nothing to be concerned about.”
Mickel Miller is up for selection after being rested against Bristol City due to his recent injury record, while Norwich academy product Saxon Earley is still out due to a long-term ankle injury he suffered in training last month.
Schumacher made seven changes to his team for the game at Ashton Gate, which was because he was trying to utilise his full squad for three matches in eight days.
Jordan Houghton, Finn Azaz, former Norwich player Bali Mumba, five-goal top scorer Ryan Hardie and Morgan Whittaker were all on the substitutes’ bench against Bristol City but are expected to return to the starting line-up tomorrow.
Schumacher gave first Championship starts to the young trio of Lewis Warrington, Tyreik Wright and Ben Waine on Tuesday night but it came in a match where Argyle were well off the pace collectively.
He said: “It’s just part of football, sometimes it doesn’t go exactly how you want to but when you are a young player it’s just all part of the experience and the learning.
“I thought Ben Waine on his first Championship start did really well, probably should have scored, but for Tyreik and Lewis it probably could have gone a little bit better. They are going to be better as players for that experience.
“I still believe in their capability and what they bring to the squad, and to the team. Tuesday night wasn’t just their fault. If you remember we were two-nil down without touching the ball.”
Schumacher reported there were ‘a couple of niggles’ among the Argyle squad following the defeat at Bristol City. “We are going to assess that in the morning and see how we get on,” he said. “The squad generally is in good shape. We have got good numbers out on the grass so nothing to be concerned about.”
Mickel Miller is up for selection after being rested against Bristol City due to his recent injury record, while Norwich academy product Saxon Earley is still out due to a long-term ankle injury he suffered in training last month.
Schumacher made seven changes to his team for the game at Ashton Gate, which was because he was trying to utilise his full squad for three matches in eight days.
Jordan Houghton, Finn Azaz, former Norwich player Bali Mumba, five-goal top scorer Ryan Hardie and Morgan Whittaker were all on the substitutes’ bench against Bristol City but are expected to return to the starting line-up tomorrow.
Schumacher gave first Championship starts to the young trio of Lewis Warrington, Tyreik Wright and Ben Waine on Tuesday night but it came in a match where Argyle were well off the pace collectively.
He said: “It’s just part of football, sometimes it doesn’t go exactly how you want to but when you are a young player it’s just all part of the experience and the learning.
“I thought Ben Waine on his first Championship start did really well, probably should have scored, but for Tyreik and Lewis it probably could have gone a little bit better. They are going to be better as players for that experience.
“I still believe in their capability and what they bring to the squad, and to the team. Tuesday night wasn’t just their fault. If you remember we were two-nil down without touching the ball.”
Meanwhile, Schumacher has given an update on goalkeeper Mike Cooper as he nears a return to action following his serious knee injury.
Meanwhile, Schumacher has given an update on goalkeeper Mike Cooper as he nears a return to action following his serious knee injury.
