Plymouth without Galloway for trip to Cardiff

Brendan Galloway has earned five caps for Zimbabwe

Tom Cleverly has confirmed Plymouth Argyle will be without defender Brendan Galloway for Saturday's League One fixture against Cardiff City.

Galloway has featured in all five of Argyle's league games but was taken off after 70 minutes in his side's 1-0 win over Blackpool last Saturday with a leg injury.

Speaking on Thursday, Cleverley did not give a definitive time for when the former Everton defender could return but urged caution over his return.

"Brendan Galloway is a warrior but we have to hold him back from himself sometimes," said Cleverly.

"We don't want him to get niggles that turn into a significant injury."

In Galloway's absence, new signing Brendan Wiredu started Tuesday's EFL Cup defeat at Swansea City, with Cleverley praising the 25-year-old's performance.

"I thought Brendan Wiredu was outstanding on Tuesday night and he looks a very high level centre back at this level at the minute," he added.

"Kornel [Szucs] can obviously do a job and Kornel will be fine for the weekend. Then you've got Alex [Mitchell], and Mathias [Ross] has only just been introduced to training.

"Saturday may come a little bit soon for him, but Tuesday [EFL Trophy match versus Cheltenham] is a good game for Mathias to start his journey."

Cleverley also revealed that recruitment discussions were held at Home Park on Thursday as he seeks to bolster the Pilgrims' midfield before Monday's transfer deadline.

"We'll speak through a few different plans, whether it's a loan, whether it's a permanent signing, the age profile of that player," he said.

"We've got a couple of targets and certainly that position we're trying to strengthen from now to possibly in time for Cardiff."