Ashley Phillips & Darko Gyabi: Plymouth Argyle boss hails teenage debutants

Darko Gyabi played 90 minutes in a league game for the first time in his career

Plymouth Argyle boss Ian Foster says teenagers Ashley Phillips and Darko Gyabi were "terrific" on their debuts at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Phillips, 18 and 19-year-old Gyabi joined on loan last week from Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United respectively.

Both played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at the John Smith's Stadium.

"They're 18 and 19, it's not an easy place to come and everything else that's going on, but I thought they handled it excellently," Foster said.

"If you were watching the game from afar I don't think you'd recognise that it's two teenagers making their debuts.

"Credit to the rest of the squad for making them feel incredibly welcome, which they've done brilliantly, and I thought both performances showed a lot of promise.

"They've got a lot to do in terms of fitness at this level and getting up to speed, because sometimes the under-21 Premier League perhaps doesn't prepare you for what's to come, but that 90 minutes will have done them the world of good.

"Credit to Ashley, in particular, because I know he got a knock in the second half, but we're really pleased for both of them," he told BBC Radio Devon.

Having joined Argyle less than a fortnight ago, former England Under-20 boss Foster acted quickly to bring in two players he was familiar with from his time with the England youth set-up.

He says he is hopeful of further strengthening the side, which has seen midfielders Luke Cundle, Finn Azaz and Lewis Warrington, along with full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden, leave this month after being recalled from loan spells.

"Hopefully we can get a couple of short-term loan deals in.

"If there's anything on a permanent basis that we can afford, and will help the group and make us better, then we'll definitely look into it."