Argyle Head Coach Tom Cleverley has said that as many of four of his first-team squad could be back in contention as the Greens head to AFC Wimbledon this Saturday.
Midfielders Bradley Ibrahim and Brendan Wiredu, defender Julio Pleguezuelo, and forward Bim Pepple have all been deemed worthy of being included in the traveling party.
The quartet have been out for a variety of spans - Ibrahim has been out since 24 February, and even then has only played three games since November; Wiredu succumbed to a troublesome injury on 17 March, but is now back; Pleguezuelo missed the first four months of the season, returned for half a dozen games in December and January, but since then only managed a handful of minutes; Pepple has missed the last two games.
All, according to the boss, are likely to be in the squad in South-West London, where Argyle meet Johnny Jackson’s Wimbledon, a team in 20th place, only three points above the drop zone, and who have lost their last five games, only picking up one point in their last eight games.
Argyle are four points outside of the play-off positions, and still in with a chance of prolonging their season, but they probably need to win at the Cherry Red Records Stadium to keep those hopes strong.
“Everyone at this stage of the season has still pretty much got something to play for,” said Cleverley, speaking to Argyle TV. “I think that's the beauty of being in a division where there are four play-off places, as well as the two automatics. Six at the top and four at the bottom to play for, which probably then gives 10 teams either side of that, something to play for.
“Now, we're both really in the thick of it. What I would say is you prepare your whole life, your academy life, your early professional days, your sacrifices and your preparation to be in high pressure situations and not to be comfortable in those situations. We're fighting for something. At one end, they're fighting for another, but these situations are what we've worked our whole life to be in. We should see it as a privilege. We should embrace it and really work with it to spur us on.
“it's been really pleasing to see the character of the players to really knuckle down and not just plateau, but keep kicking on and setting new levels. Now we're here, four games to go. It really is business end, a cup final every game - that old cliche is coming out! We have to respond and thrive off that pressure to make sure that we prolong our season for as much as we can.
“It is a stage of the season where form goes out the window a little bit, and It's important that we respect every opposition. Every game in this league has a different set of challenges. I think we've been in fantastic form, but one of the two games we've lost in our last 12 was Rotherham away, which completely went against the form book. So, we have to respect every opposition, which we do. And the important thing is we prepare ourselves to give ourselves the best chance.
“That has helped with the reinforcements of three or four key players this weekend. We do everything we can do that this game goes with the form books and the form guide, as well as respecting we know that anything can happen at this stage.
“Wiredu and Ibrahim are back in an area of the pitch we've been really light in recently, with Herbie Kane returning to Huddersfield and Joe Ralls being out, and Wiredu and Bradley having surgeries this season.
“Julio is back - this is the best I've seen Julio in terms of fitness. He was really good for us in the six games he's played - I think we only conceded two goals - and this is the most physically free I've seen him, so I’m excited about seeing the best of him with four games to go of the regular season.
“And people will be happy to hear that Bim's available for selection this weekend. We can never say 100%. We've got one more training session, but I’m very confident Bim will be in the squad this weekend.
“We are travelling to a team, you have to have sympathy for Johnny that, clearly, he has five or six starters missing, and you feel for him. I know what it's like when you are missing half your side and you're judged on results. It's really difficult to dig deep, but they'll do that. They'll give us a real good challenge Saturday, and we have to be ready for the challenge.”
