'Maturing' Ibrahim will be big miss - Cleverley
Bradley Ibrahim's two goals ensured Plymouth Argyle won 3-2 at Luton Town
- Published
Bradley Ibrahim's "maturing" performances have been praised by Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley.
The 20-year-old midfielder is suspended for Argyle's League One clash with Wigan Athletic on Saturday after picking up a fifth booking this season.
The former Arsenal youngster was a summer signing from German side Hertha Berlin and has impressed in his time at Home Park.
He scored his first goal in the 4-2 win over Stockport County last month before getting two decisive goals in the 3-2 win over Luton Town the following week.
"He seems to be maturing, he seems to be picking the right time to be aggressive," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.
"You don't want to take that edge that he's got out of his game, but you certainly don't want him receiving any [cards] for dissent, for kicking the ball away, for things like that, and he's really improved at that.
"More importantly, for me, his all-round performances have been outstanding - but it's an opportunity for someone else to come in and stake a claim."
Argyle's 'unavailability crisis'
Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards is still to serve the final game of his three-match ban for his red card at Luton Town
There are few experienced options for Cleverley as Ibrahim's absence exacerbates what the Argyle boss described as an "unavailability crisis".
Having won five of their past six games in all competitions, Argyle prepare for the visit of Wigan - managed by former Pilgrims boss Ryan Lowe - with injury and suspension issues.
"Bradley will be a huge miss, in the last five games I think he's been one of the best players in the league," added Cleverley.
"We've got Joe Edwards, we've got Pleggy (Julio Pleguezuelo), we've got Kornel (Szucs), we've got Jack MacKenzie [all out] - they're a back four.
"Then we've got Bradley, Caleb Watts, Xavier Amaechi - there's a midfield - all senior players, all would start, all important platers for this club.
"The guys who are out there at the minute are doing a fantastic job because we're dealing with quite a bit."