Skipper Nelse

CURTIS Nelson will captain Plymouth Argyle on Saturday when they face Bury in a crucial league clash.

Twenty-year-old Curtis will stand in for suspended captain Conor Hourihane, who will serve a one-match ban for receiving five yellow cards this season.

Manager John Sheridan said he believed Curtis has the right attitude to lead the team.

“He’s got a really good attitude, he’s very mentally strong, and I think he’s got good leadership qualities,” said John.

Despite being only 20, Curtis has made more than 115 appearances for Argyle and has twice captained the team before, standing in for Conor when he was banned last season. One of those matches included a 2-0 win against Cheltenham Town at Home Park.

“He’s a lad that works very hard at his game,” said John, of Curtis. “Like most players at this level, without being harsh or disrespectful, they have faults in their game but I think he’s one of those that will work really hard to make himself a better player.”

The Pilgrims’ boss believes Curtis – who made his 100th Argyle appearance on the same day as the man whose armband he has inherited – has the qualities to become a captain later in his career.

“He’s got good leadership qualities and could make a good captain in the future” said John.

Conor has been central to the team this season, starting all 25 competitive matches and not missing a minute of the Pilgrims’ league matches. John said: “He’ll be a miss but I can’t play him on Saturday, so I’m not thinking about him at this moment.

“It gives someone else the opportunity. Hopefully, that person will come in and we’ll get the win and it’ll give me something to think about for the next game.”