Club News
Gaz and Air
11th January 2017
ARGYLE full-back Gary Miller is still awaiting confirmation on how long he will be missing from action...
...but there is positive news for the Scotsman: his ankle is not broken.
Gary was carried from the Anfield pitch on a stretcher when Argyle heroically held Liverpool to a goalless draw in the Emirates FA Cup third round on Sunday, with fears of a serious injury to his lower leg.
Miller is currently hobbling around on crutches and a protective boot, but there are hopes around Home Park that his injury may not be a season-ender.
“He hasn’t got a broken ankle,” said Argyle boss Derek Adams. “He went for a scan and it is ankle ligament damage. We’re waiting on the results of how long it will take for him to get back to full fitness.
“There’s a lot of swelling and a lot of bruising because of the impact. Hopefully, you can quickly recover from that.
“I don’t want any more injuries in the squad. You seem to be getting back, and you pick up another one.”
Oscar Threlkeld, Argyle’s multi-position man, has filled in at both full-back positions as well playing in central midfield in recent weeks, and seems favourite to play on the right of the defence in Gary’s absence.
That said, Threlkeld is not the only option as a replacement.
“[Oscar] can play there, and he’s done well there in the past,” said Derek. “[Jakub Sokolik] can play there, Bulvitis can play there as well. We’ve got options.”
Ryan Donaldson and Gary Sawyer, two of Argyle’s other long term injury sufferers, are nearing fitness.
Ryan, a victim to a broken cheekbone, is able to train alone, maintaining fitness but not risking any further damage, while Gary has played two games for Argyle’s development squad to build his match-fitness, following a stomach injury.
“Ryan’s training away,” said Derek. “He’s not allowed to have any contact until the end of this month. He’s working away and recovering well. We’re just waiting for him to have the ok to come back.
“[Gary’s] played in two games. He played 60 minutes against Torpoint and 75 minutes against Ivybridge. He’s progressing; he training with the first team and getting back his fitness levels. He’s not far away, he just has to work on his sharpness as he has been out for a long period of time.”