Plymouth Argyle

Dan Wareing
BBC Sport England

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Malachi Boateng has been ruled out of action for at least six weeks due to injury.

The 24-year-old suffered knee ligament damage during the Pilgrim's 1-1 draw against Wycombe on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, head coach Tom Cleverley had described the match as "the highest intensity game" he had been involved with at the club.

Speaking after Plymouth's 4-2 loss against Coventry in the EFL Cup second round, Cleverley confirmed the length of the midfielder's absence, but said "it could have been a lot worse."

"It's going to be six to eight weeks," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"Whenever someone has an issue with any kind of knee instability we know that is a ligament problem, and so you fear the worst.

"We're not happy to miss him for 10 to 12 league games but it could have been a lot worse, and so we're happy with that news."

Dan Wareing
BBC Sport England

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley says he expects Malachi Boateng to be out "for a while".

The 24-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury in the early stages of the Pilgrim's 1-1 draw against Wycombe Wanderers.

Boateng was a mainstay in the Plymouth midfield last season, playing 54 times and scoring five goals in all competitions.

"On early assessment, we're not expecting great news from the scan result," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"There's obviously a best outcome and a worst outcome, but I don't think there's any way he'll only be out for a week.

"Malachi is probably going to be out for a while.

Cleverley described the match against Wycombe as "the highest intensity game I've coached since I've been at Argyle".

He added: "It was the highest physical output since I've been at the club. But we can see that with the physical data that the boys are going to get stronger and fitter."

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Salford City have signed Plymouth Argyle midfielder Brendan Wiredu for an undisclosed fee on a "multi-year" deal.

The 26-year-old joined the Pilgrims from Fleetwood last summer and scored twice in 37 league appearances.

He could make his debut for the Ammies in Saturday's home game against Chesterfield.

"We know what the ambition is and what we want to do this season, so to come here and be a part of that is a key reason why I wanted to join and be part of a successful team," he told the club website., external

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Brendan Wiredu, 26, is set to join League Two's Salford City pending the results of the Englishman's medical. (Plymouth Herald, external)

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

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Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley says Matthew Sorinola's positive attitude could be enough to force his way into the starting line-up.

The 25-year-old full-back came off the bench to feature in Monday's 2-0 Carabao Cup first round win over Exeter City.

The former Union St Gilloise and Milton Keynes Dons defender impressed as he featured in the final quarter of Argyle's victory over their Devon rivals.

"It should be a given, but I do love when someone is determined to get in the team rather than sulks that they're not in the team," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon ahead of Saturday's League One opener against Stockport County.

"I thought the way he trained, the way he came on made a really positive impact.

"It was a determination to say, 'I want to start, I wan,t to be one of the first names on the teamsheet'.

"So that's the response to maybe sitting out on a big game, a good example for the rest of the squad that that's how you respond and he's given himself every chance of potentially starting on Saturday."

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport England

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Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley says the speed of Caleb Watts' recovery from injury has reduced the club's need for a new signing.

Watts could be fit to play in Argyle's League One opener against Stockport County on Saturday after suffering a pre-season ankle injury.

Cleverley said he would discuss possible new additions with the club following Monday's 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Exeter City, which striker Owen Oseni missed with a thigh problem.

But Watts' return to fitness, coupled with an impressive cameo from young winger Freddie Issaka, means Cleverley is not so concerned about extra recruits.

"Caleb is one of those that you would definitely trust to start in one or two positions in that top line, so that's really positive," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"We are light on the top line, there's no beating around the bush.

"But as long as the four guys that are filling those positions at the minute are very, very high quality players, there's no point bringing in players for the sake of it, especially with Caleb on his way back.

"Freddie did really well the other day, you have Owen Oseni, he's not out for months, he's out for weeks.

"There were conversations. At the minute we're happy with the squad as long as everyone stays fit from now on, and then it could be a decision in two weeks, what happens with Freddie and Tegan (Finn) throughout the season.

"But we're still only on 13 August and always, we're hot on it, but at the minute I'm happy with the squad."

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Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport England

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Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley says he will work to improve the finishing of new signing Will Evans.

The 29-year-old striker moved to Home Park earlier this month from Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee.

He made his debut in the 2-0 Carabao Cup first round win over Exeter City, but missed a number of good chances to put his new club ahead.

And The Pilgrims needed second-half stoppage time goals from Alex Hartridge and Bim Pepple to overcome their Devon rivals despite having 21 shots, six of which were on target.

"I think that's an area of Will's game I can improve," Cleverley told BBC Sport.

"So in six months time I'd like to think we've done our job that that gets put away.

"You can see how many duels he wins, how many times he makes runs in behind, how well he connected with Bim."

He added: "There's so many things that if a player's not got the desire to do you can't coach that into him, (but) I feel like I could coach him to be a better finisher.

"Bim missed a big chance with the header. Ronan (Curtis) had a couple of good ones, so I'm not focusing on Will, I'm certainly focusing on how we can improve that.

"But the fundamentals of his performance, there's a lot to like for me."

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Plymouth Argyle forward Michael Baidoo has had surgery on his hamstring and has been ruled out for 12 weeks.

The 27-year-old picked up the injury against Bristol City last week and is now not expected back until November.

Manager Tom Cleverley says his own history of injuries will help the Ghana international recover.

Cleverley said: "He's young, he's in great condition. I don't expect it to be any more than 12 weeks but unfortunately that is the best part of three months and that will take us towards November.

"I don't think he has got a better coach to manage him through these moments. I had plenty of them myself.

"We will look after him. His wife is expecting another baby, so that will be a nice healthy distraction for him. It's unfortunate for him because he was doing great for us in the pre-season.

"I thought he was someone who could really add something to the squad and we are just going to have to wait a little bit longer to see that."