Plymouth Argyle transfer list captain Darren Purse

Plymouth Argyle have placed captain Darren Purse on the transfer list.

BBC South West Sport has learned that the 35-year-old centre-back, who is the club's highest earning player, is free to leave in January.

Purse joined and signed a permanent deal in January, tying him to the club until next summer.

Argyle feel they can use Purse's wages more productively to strengthen the team in other areas.

The former Oxford, Birmingham City and Cardiff centre-back has not played since the middle of November after he was sent off at Fleetwood Town. He will return from a three-match ban in time for Saturday's clash with York in League Two.

He was named captain in the summer.

This season Argyle have kept just two clean sheets with Purse in the line-up, and none since the start of September.

Last term Argyle's defence kept seven clean sheets with Purse in the team.