Plymouth without Gary Sawyer for Blackpool visit

Posted Friday, September 11, 2020 by PA

Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe will be without club captain Gary Sawyer for their Sky Bet League One opener against Blackpool.

Sawyer was taken to hospital after being hurt during Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to Norwich U21s in the EFL Trophy and while Plymouth have confirmed the defender did not break his ankle, the extent of the injury remains unclear.

The 35-year-old would have ineligible anyway for the Pilgrims against Blackpool because of a suspension.

Frank Nouble is expected to make his league debut on Saturday after scoring on his first Argyle appearance against QPR in the Carabao Cup following his summer move from Colchester.

Neil Critchley is likely to be without Beryly Lubala for Blackpool’s long trip south.

Lubala had played no football in pre-season before featuring in Blackpool’s EFL Trophy clash with Barrow, and two matches in a week could come too soon for the forward.

West Ham loanee Dan Kemp impressed boss Critchley with his debut performance against Barrow and could have done enough to earn a place in the starting line-up against Plymouth.

Matty Virtue and summer signing Alex Fojticek were both doubts ahead of the Barrow match and ended up missing the game, and it remains to be seen whether the pair will recover in time for the league opener.