Catching a Break

...but is relieved to be back in action after coming on as a second half substitute in the 1-1 draw away to Hartlepool on Saturday. 

Spencer had been pivotal as a strong line-leader for Argyle until his injury, suffered doing ‘extras’ in training. The scheduled session had finished, Jimmy was doing some additional finishing practise – when disaster struck. 

“I was shooting after training, Brew (Craig Brewster) crossed a ball in,” said Jimmy. “It was slightly behind me. I’ve leant back and the ground has come from underneath me and my ankle has just twisted. 

“I knew straight away as soon as it happened. I heard it click and crunch. It wasn’t nice at all.

“I always expect the worst so any other news is better.

“I was expecting to be out for the season and an operation. I didn’t need an operation and it was only three months – which is good [considering] what happened.”

Spencers last involvement for the Pilgrims, prior to the return against Hartlepool, was in a 2-1 away victory against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, November 12. He was an unused substitute when Argyle met Leyton Orient on February 14, then got the nod from manager Derek Adams to come on at Victoria Park, with half an hour to go. 

On that occasion, he played up front with Ryan Taylor as Argyle were chasing the game. Taylor, signed from Oxford United in January, has played four times for Argyle, impressing on each occasion. Spencer, accomplished as he is, has a tough ask to get back into a strongly-performing Pilgrims side. 

“It’s a relief to be back,” said Jimmy. “I was in the team and playing well. I felt I had a little more to give. The performances were getting better each week and then I got stuck with an injury. 

“It’s hard being injured. You’re here to play football not be in the gym two or three times per day. So yeah, it was a relief to get back out there and it was just unfortunate about the result.

“My aim is to get back into the team first of all.  It’s going to be tough. The players who have come in are doing well and you cannot just walk back into a team after an injury – you’ve got to work hard for that.

“Competition for places is always good – It gets the best out of you. 

“I’ll keep training hard and hopefully get a place in the team.”