ARGYLE head coach Paul Mariner has backed goalkeeper David Stockdale to continue his improvement at Home Park.

Stockdale replaced French stalwart Romain Larrieu when he joined on loan from Fulham in January and Mariner denied there is any stipulations from the London club.

"There are stipulations when you take people on loan but there is no stipulation that any player has got to play," he said.

"It's all on merit and you've got to remember David is a young goalkeeper. He has got some fantastic assets. He commands his box and he can kick it a mile.

"Young goalkeepers make little errors and, when you're in our position, little errors create goals."

The midweek win over Bristol City brought out both sides of Stockdale's game.

A sensational save from Jamie McCallister's free-kick was almost overshadowed by a lack of concentration from the kick-off after Argyle took an injury-time lead.

Form, however, may take second place to fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe, as Stockdale is nursing a shin injury.

"He made a superb save from the free-kick, diving full-length to his left," said Mariner. "We go 3-2 up and he turns back on the play and the guy shows tremendous vision to almost embarrass him.

"He's learning, like any player. He is a young kid trying to make his way in the game.

"I think about possible changes in every position and David didn't train yesterday because he got walloped in the shins [against Bristol City], and it got worse overnight.

"We are in a pressure situation and players either respond to pressure, or they don't. The workload of games and the competitive nature of the league means we are looking at the welfare of players all the time.

"We've had a bunch of games and lots of travelling, and you need to keep that edge. Romain has been ultra-professional.

"I am in charge of the team and we've lost only two games in eight, so I don't see there is any issue with our goalkeepers."