Sting in the Tayls

ARGYLE’S search for a new player to boost manager Derek Adams’ forward options has gained a new intensity with the news that Ryan Taylor is unlikely be available until November after breaking his ankle.

The Pilgrims were already on the lookout for a striker before receiving confirmation that the injury suffered by Ryan in Saturday’s Sky Bet League One opener at Peterborough was worse than first thought. 

Pilgrims manager Derek Adams said: “Ryan is struggling. He’s broken his ankle and he’s going to be out for three months.

“It’s always difficult when you pick up injuries and he’ll recover from it but I think that, for the length of time we are going to be without one of our top strikers, it is going to be hard for myself and the football club and the player. 

“He’s really disappointed, but there’s nothing he can do. It’s a clean break. He came down heavily on it.” 

Ryan was replaced by Nathan Blissett in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Bristol City, and turned in a decent showing on a generally disappointing evening at Ashton Gate. 

“I thought Nathan did well,” said Derek. “He was one of the ones that did have a strong performance. It wasn’t easy for him because, for a majority of the time, he was up there on his own.” 

While Ryan is out, the Pilgrims’ other forward options are limited to Jake Jervis, who Derek has played more often than not wide on the right, and first-year pro Alex Fletcher. Hence the need for a new recruit. 

“It’s important to get a striker in,” said Derek. “We keep on working away trying to get that. We’ve been doing that for a long period of time now and we’ve still got offers to two clubs for their players. 

“It’s not that easy. Clubs are holding off, waiting to see what they can get in before they release players.”