Jephcott Recalled

ARGYLE have recalled young striker Luke Jephcott from his loan at Truro City.

The Welsh under-19 international had been on-loan at Paul Wotton’s White Tigers in the Southern League Premier South division, where he has played an integral part in the Treyew Road side’s assault on the top of the table.

The young forward’s form, as well as a number of injuries to Ryan Lowe’s first-team strikers, has provided the Aberystwyth-born striker with the opportunity to stake his claim for a regular first-team spot – starting this weekend at Scunthorpe United.

“Luke’s been terrific,” said Ryan. “We sent him out on loan to get some game-time because we felt he wasn’t going to get it with the strikers we had [here].

“He’s gone to Truro and been one of their best players. Paul Wotton’s played him. I think he’s had 10-11 goals and he’s had plenty of assists. They are starting to call him a goal-machine now.

“Thanks to Truro, because we cut [the loan] short by a few days. Thanks to Paul for that because we’re in need: Dom [Telford] has gone down, Tayls [Ryan taylor] is not quite fit yet.”

Jephcott made nine appearances for the Pilgrims in Sky Bet League One last season, an achievement which saw him win the club’s Young Player of the Season award for the 2018/19 campaign by a landslide. Now, Lowe is keen to see Luke battle his way back into first-team contention.

“We felt that it is what the kid deserves – if you go out on loan and score goals, it’s what you deserve because that’s what I sent him out to do,” he said.

“He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do – he’s gone out; he’s got his head down; he’s got fitter, stronger; scored goals.

“So, it’s reward for Luke’s hard work and dedication, what he’s done to try to get back into the Argyle team. He’ll travel with the boys on Saturday.

“We sent all of our youngsters out on loan and we said: ‘You’re not going out on loan just for me to get rid of you, otherwise I’d just cut you short and get rid of you’. That’s not the case; the case is ‘go out; make sure we know what you’re doing.’

“So, it is a message to the rest of the lads that are out on loan that we do monitor you; when you do go out, you’ve got to do the work. Luke’s certainly done that, so fair play to him.”

Meanwhile, young duo Alex Fletcher and Mike Peck have had their loans at Truro’s Southern League rivals Tiverton Town extended for another 28 days.