ARGYLE could have two new defenders in their squad for Saturday's visit to Coventry.

On Wednesday, head coach Paul Mariner will head a Pilgrims delegation at Wembley which will try to secure a work-permit for Zimbabwe international full-back Onismor Bhasera.

The following day, West Ham centre-back Bondz N'Gala will travel to Home Park to agree a loan deal.

Both players have trained at Home Park in recent weeks.

"N'Ggala's a very, very strong defender," said Paul. "He's not an archetypal Championship defender - he's got more ability than that - but he's an uncompromising defender who likes to defend.

"He's been on our radar. He came in for a week's training and we wanted to keep him but it wasn't happening. West Ham had some injuries. Now they've got players coming back, and [manager] Gianfranco Zola and [assistant-manager] Steve Clarke have lent him out to us. We're very grateful.

"He's a very intelligent player. He's a quick learner. The important thing is that he likes to defend. It bothers him when either (a) the team he's on concedes a goal, or (b) he gets beat. Which is not very often, to be honest."

Bondz, 20, made his debut for West Ham in a League Cup tie at Bolton Wanderers last September, before a one-month loan at Argyle's Championship rivals Scunthorpe United, during which he made two appearances.

Previously, he has had loan spells at Weymouth and MK Dons.

It looks unlikely that Bondz will partner Reda Johnson at the Ricoh, with the Benin international still struggling with a groin problem.

"It's not a horrible injury, but it looks like Saturday might be too early," said Paul. "He had treatment today and there was an improvement.

"We are going to try to get him a scan so we can see that everything's clear, so we're hopeful.