Argyle's number one to be decided this week

Luca Ashby-Hammond has started all 12 of Plymouth Argyle's league and cup games this season

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says he will make a decision on who will be the club's number one goalkeeper by the end of this week.

Summer signing Luca Ashby-Hammond has been ever-present this season as Northern Ireland international Conor Hazard recovered from a knee injury he suffered in June while playing for his country.

But having returned to full fitness, Cleverley says Hazard will start Tuesday night's Vertu Trophy tie against Tottenham's Under-21s.

Plymouth's 18 goals conceded is the worst record in League One, but only Peterborough and Lincoln have allowed more shots than the Pilgrims.

"When you're an international goalkeeper who's returning back to the squad, it's a plus," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"It's not solely down to Luca, but the defensive unit is not functioning the way it should at the minute.

"We're conceding too many goals to be successful, so there's competition for places, everyone's got to be performing to a level that means that we keep more clean sheets.

"Conor will play on Tuesday and in the next few days it's an important time for who is going to be the number one.

"What's important for me is there's complete clarity after this week who is the number one and and I'll make that decision later in the week."

Conor Hazard joined Plymouth in 2023 from Celtic

Ashby-Hammond joined Argyle in the summer on a one-year deal after a successful trial.

The 24-year-old had been on Fulham's books and experienced loans at Aldershot, Crawley Town, Notts County and Gillingham over the past three seasons.

In comparison, Hazard has won nine caps for his country and played 52 games in the Championship for the Pilgrims, but Cleverley says he will still have to prove to him that he is the best goalkeeper at the club:

"No one's saying that he walks into the team," Cleverley added.

"I've not seen Conor play a game of football yet, so we'll have to see how he is.

"I think Luca's performance levels have improved and improved as he's settled into the shirt, so it's not a straightforward decision.

"But I'm glad Conor's back and he gives us something different in terms of protecting the goal and protecting the box.

"I need a few more days for that decision, but I think after that's it's not a position you want to chop and change, you need to be firm on that one."