Plymouth Argyle

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle centre-back Julio Pleguezuelo faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after having knee surgery.

The Spanish defender was hurt in Argyle’s final pre-season fixture, against Bristol City late last month.

“All's gone well, but it will be a significant period of time we'll be missing him for,” Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley said.

With Jack MacKenzie and Joe Edwards also struggling with injuries, Cleverley says he is close to bringing in a loan signing.

“There‘s a very strong chance for this weekend,” he revealed.

“When you think of a loan you might think of a young player - he's not.

“He's a player in his mid 20s who's got experience and we're hoping that that deal comes off in the next 24 hours in time for him to be involved on Saturday.”

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport England

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says money is not an issue as they negotiate a deal to sign a new striker.

The Pilgrims are looking to bolster their forward line after the likes of Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu left the club following relegation from the Championship in May.

With Bim Pepple injured and Owen Oseni still unproven, Argyle played midfielder Caleb Watts at centre forward on Saturday in their opening-day 3-1 loss to Barnsley.

While Watts scored a goal in an impressive first outing in an unfamiliar position, Argyle accept that he is not a long-term solution to their needs.

"You need two to tango for a deal," Cleverley told BBC Sport.

"The reasons why it's not coming off are not financial.

"The clubs seem to be 99% there and then you take a backward step, but that's all part of negotiating.

"For everyone's sake, we hope it happens sooner rather than later."

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Brendan Wiredu says his new club have to be "the team to beat" in League One.

The summer signing, 25, is set to make his debut in Argyle's season-opening game against Barnsley on Saturday after moving to Home Park from Fleetwood Town.

He is one of 10 new signings after Argyle's relegation from the Championship as 12 first-team squad players left the club.

It will also be a first competitive game in charge for new head coach Tom Cleverley after he succeeded Miron Muslic last month.

"When you come to Plymouth Argyle there's always pressure to be one of the teams up there," Wiredu said.

"People are going to be coming to us that we're the team to beat, but that's something that we need to relish and actually be the team to beat.

"We need to respect teams but actually play with a little bit of arrogance, go out there and show why people have this stigma of us as the team to beat.

"We've got lads in there, young, experienced, that will relish the chance to be free and be the team to beat."

Image source, Rex Features

Tom Cleverley says his squad have answered all his questions in pre-season but he admits he still wants to add a new striker to the ranks this week.

Relegated Plymouth will start their League One campaign at home against Barnsley on Saturday and their manager insisted he is close to working out his best XI.

But the identity of a number nine remains unclear despite Cleverley being hopeful of adding the final piece of the jigsaw and hit the ground running.

"The players are fit, they understand what I want from them and we are very close to working out what our best team is," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon after losing their final pre-season friendly 2-0 against Bristol City.

"I go into next week with very few questions about my team, which is the important thing."

Getting a new striker remains a priority following the departures of Ryan Hardie to Wrexham and Mustapha Bundu. Argyle have signed youngsters Bim Pepple and Owen Aseni.

Nottingham Forest forward Dale Taylor understood to be a target.

"It is still the case [that we want to bring a striker to the club," Cleverley said. "Conversations between the two clubs are ongoing and we are hoping.

"It is never easy pre-season when clubs have got big transfers going on. Sometimes you are down the pecking order in terms of priorities, but we are working hard to make that happen."

Blackpool face competition from Plymouth Argyle for 21-year-old Nottingham Forest and Northern Ireland striker Dale Taylor's signature. (Alan Nixon via Patreon - subscription required), external

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