A Welcome Headache

ARGYLE manager Ryan Lowe has almost his entire first-team squad to choose from ahead of their Sky Bet League Two curtain-raiser against Crewe Alexandra in Cheshire.

The Pilgrims are likely to be without defender Will Aimson, although the summer recruit from Bury has resumed full training after missing the entirety of pre-season through injury.

“Will’s training today [Thursday], so hopefully that will go well, touch wood. Other than that, we’re fine, we’re at one hundred per cent,” said Lowe. “He’s on the grass today, he’s been doing double sessions to make sure he’s back to where he wants to get to.”

Despite missing much of pre-season, having only joined the Pilgrims on an initial six-month contract last week, attack-minded Jose Baxter is making good progress, while Ryan Taylor and Dom Telford are also back in training.

“He’s [Baxter] looking good, we could have done with him having more minutes, but he didn’t get here until late,” said Lowe.  “He’s probably had 90 minutes in the tank now, he had 45 minutes on trial at Mansfield, I think, so he’s not far off. We still have to get him a bit fitter, a bit sharper, he knows that, we know that, but it will come over the next few weeks.”

While it is undoubtedly a good thing to have an all-but perfectly fit squad to choose from, Lowe is aware that he will be disappointing a number of his tight-knit squad when the side for Saturday’s game is announced. The Pilgrims’ manager has made it clear, though, that everyone will get the opportunity to impress as the season unfolds.

“There’s going to be lads that miss out, and I’ll tell them,” said Lowe. “I’ll explain that sometimes you have to go with your gut, and what you think is best. Every single one of the players who travels with us on Saturday will have warranted a place in the team.

“There’s going to be probably seven of them that will miss out, but, listen, they’ll get the chances when they come along and they’ve got to take them.”