Argyle striker Tijani set for lengthy injury lay-off

Muhamed Tijani has had a difficult start to his season-long loan at Home Park

Plymouth Argyle striker Muhamed Tijani is likely to be out until the new year after tearing his hamstring.

The 24-year-old Nigerian, who is on loan from Czech side Slavia Prague, was injured in training before Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Burnley.

He had just returned to the Argyle first-team fold after previous groin and hamstring injuries and has only played three times this season.

"TJ's is a bad one so I feel for him," Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney said.

"We'll be in contact with his parent club and see where we go from there.

"I hope we can keep him and do his treatment here, but when you have a player on loan I'm sure they'll want to make sure he's right, but I hope we can keep him."

Tijani's only start for Argyle came in the 4-0 opening day loss at Sheffield Wednesday.

The former Nigeria youth international has made just two substitute appearances since - in the 1-0 loss at home to Stoke City on 31 August and in the 3-1 win over Luton Town on Friday.

"We're still waiting for full details, but I'm really disappointed for him because I felt he came on on Friday and did well," Rooney added to BBC Radio Devon.

Eighteen-year-old striker Joe Hatch made his debut at Burnley

With Burnley loanee Michael Obafemi unable to play against his parent club on Tuesday, Argyle gave a debut as a late substitute to teenage Wales youth player Joe Hatch.

The 18-year-old has yet to train with Argyle's first team, but with Tijani's injury and Ben Waine out on loan he could well feature in the next few weeks.

"We need to try and integrate him into the squad, he hasn't even trained with us," Rooney said of Hatch.

"Sometimes opportunities fall. I remember Marcus Rashford at Manchester United came into the team because of injuries or suspensions without training with us and his career's then gone on the pathway it's gone.

"So sometimes all you need is a chance to play."