Plymouth Argyle

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Plymouth Argyle centre-back Julio Pleguezuelo faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after having knee surgery.

The Spanish defender was hurt in Argyle’s final pre-season fixture, against Bristol City late last month.

“All's gone well, but it will be a significant period of time we'll be missing him for,” Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley said.

With Jack MacKenzie and Joe Edwards also struggling with injuries, Cleverley says he is close to bringing in a loan signing.

“There‘s a very strong chance for this weekend,” he revealed.

“When you think of a loan you might think of a young player - he's not.

“He's a player in his mid 20s who's got experience and we're hoping that that deal comes off in the next 24 hours in time for him to be involved on Saturday.”

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport England

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says money is not an issue as they negotiate a deal to sign a new striker.

The Pilgrims are looking to bolster their forward line after the likes of Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu left the club following relegation from the Championship in May.

With Bim Pepple injured and Owen Oseni still unproven, Argyle played midfielder Caleb Watts at centre forward on Saturday in their opening-day 3-1 loss to Barnsley.

While Watts scored a goal in an impressive first outing in an unfamiliar position, Argyle accept that he is not a long-term solution to their needs.

"You need two to tango for a deal," Cleverley told BBC Sport.

"The reasons why it's not coming off are not financial.

"The clubs seem to be 99% there and then you take a backward step, but that's all part of negotiating.

"For everyone's sake, we hope it happens sooner rather than later."

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Brendan Wiredu says his new club have to be "the team to beat" in League One.

The summer signing, 25, is set to make his debut in Argyle's season-opening game against Barnsley on Saturday after moving to Home Park from Fleetwood Town.

He is one of 10 new signings after Argyle's relegation from the Championship as 12 first-team squad players left the club.

It will also be a first competitive game in charge for new head coach Tom Cleverley after he succeeded Miron Muslic last month.

"When you come to Plymouth Argyle there's always pressure to be one of the teams up there," Wiredu said.

"People are going to be coming to us that we're the team to beat, but that's something that we need to relish and actually be the team to beat.

"We need to respect teams but actually play with a little bit of arrogance, go out there and show why people have this stigma of us as the team to beat.

"We've got lads in there, young, experienced, that will relish the chance to be free and be the team to beat."

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Tom Cleverley says his squad have answered all his questions in pre-season but he admits he still wants to add a new striker to the ranks this week.

Relegated Plymouth will start their League One campaign at home against Barnsley on Saturday and their manager insisted he is close to working out his best XI.

But the identity of a number nine remains unclear despite Cleverley being hopeful of adding the final piece of the jigsaw and hit the ground running.

"The players are fit, they understand what I want from them and we are very close to working out what our best team is," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon after losing their final pre-season friendly 2-0 against Bristol City.

"I go into next week with very few questions about my team, which is the important thing."

Getting a new striker remains a priority following the departures of Ryan Hardie to Wrexham and Mustapha Bundu. Argyle have signed youngsters Bim Pepple and Owen Aseni.

Nottingham Forest forward Dale Taylor understood to be a target.

"It is still the case [that we want to bring a striker to the club," Cleverley said. "Conversations between the two clubs are ongoing and we are hoping.

"It is never easy pre-season when clubs have got big transfers going on. Sometimes you are down the pecking order in terms of priorities, but we are working hard to make that happen."

Blackpool face competition from Plymouth Argyle for 21-year-old Nottingham Forest and Northern Ireland striker Dale Taylor's signature. (Alan Nixon via Patreon - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says the club is "working hard" to bring in an experienced centre forward.

With Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu having left the club over the summer, the Pilgrims' attacking options are limited.

Argyle have signed youngsters Bim Pepple and Owen Aseni, while wide players Jamie Paterson and Xavier Amaechi have also joined the club in the current transfer window.

"We all want those deals to be done as quick as possible," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"Now it's important that you don't bring the wrong one in, just because he's there to do.

"There's a premium price on League One strikers and people who can score goals at this level.

"We're working really hard and I'm confident we'll see one come in in the next 10 days."

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle attacking midfielder Rami Al Hajj is set to leave the club, according to head coach Tom Cleverley.

The 23-year-old former Sweden Under-21 international struggled to make an impact after moving to Home Park from Danish side Odense last season.

Al Hajj, who still has two years on his contract at Plymouth remaining after joining for an undisclosed fee last August, has not been with the squad on their pre-season trip to Austria.

He scored just three goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Pilgrims last season.

"Rami looks close to a move away from the club," Cleverley said.

"It was apparent to when when I arrived that he wanted to move away from the club, and England. We're all working towards that."