Argyle squad to undergo Covid test
PLYMOUTH Argyle have confirmed that all their staff and players will be tested for Covid-19 after it emerged yesterday that a number of Leyton Orient players tested positive last week.
A statement released by the League Two confirmed that ‘a number’ of the first team squad had returned positive results, in a week where they were in direct opposition to Argyle.
Orient overcame a 2-0 deficit to knock Argyle out of the Carabao Cup second round with a dramatic 3-2 win, which set up a tie against Premier League Tottenham Hotspur.
That clash is due to take place tonight but, at the time of writing, there had been no confirmation that the game had been called off.
A statement released by the O’s read: “We have informed the EFL and Tottenham Hotspur and will make a further announcement regarding Tuesday’s match shortly.
“We have also informed Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Oldham Athletic, our three most recent opponents, prior to the public release of this information.”
Argyle endured a tough evening in East London and thought they were through after first half goals from Panutche Camara and Kelland Watts gave them a comfortable first half lead.
However, the Os staged a rousing fightback with goals from Louis Dennis, Jobi McAnuff an then, deep into stoppage time, Danny Johnson.
A statement released by the club read: “Although there is no competition requirement to do so, Plymouth Argyle FC has made arrangements to undertake a precautionary round of Covid-19 testing ahead of Saturday’s game against Shrewsbury Town, having received confirmation that a number of Leyton Orient players have tested positive for coronavirus.
“At the time of writing, no members of the squad or football staff are experiencing any symptoms. As is consistent with government guidance, any member of staff who tests positive or begins to experience symptoms will be required to selfisolate.
“There will be no further comment.”
Meanwhile, Argyle’s promising Wales Under-21 international striker Luke Jephcott should soon be fit to return from a thigh injury.
Jephcott has missed the last two matches after being substituted early in the second half of the 1-0 League One season-opening win against Blackpool at Home Park on September 12.
However, it is hoped that the 20-year-old will back be in action in the near future, possibly for the visit of Shrewsbury Town this coming weekend.
The Pilgrims’ next game after that will be the trip to play Hull City at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday, October 3.
Manager Ryan Lowe said: “We will have Luke Jephcott back in the next week probably, but we don’t want to rush him. We have got to be careful.
“We will monitor him this week.
It’s not as bad as we first thought. He just had a little strain in his thigh.
“If he’s doing the right things - not walking on it and getting the right treatment - he should be fine very soon.”
Jephcott scored the winning goal against Blackpool, taking his tally for the calendar year of 2020 to eight in 17 games.
Meanwhile, the club have announced that they have takien arrangements for the staff and players to take a precautionary round of Covid-19 testing ahead of Saturday’s clash with Shrewsbury.
This was arranged after a number of Leyton Orient players tested positive for Cornonavirus last week, a week in which the O’s came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and knock Argyle out of the Carabao Cup.
A club statement released by the Pilgrims yesterday read: “At the time of writing, no members of the squad or football staff are experiencing any symptoms.
“As is consistent with government guidance, any member of staff who tests positive or begins to experience symptoms will be required to selfisolate.
“There will be no further comment.”
Plymouth Argyle’s promising Wales Under-21 international striker Luke Jephcott should soon be fit to return from a thigh injury.
Jephcott has missed the last two matches after being substituted early in the second half of the 1-0 League One season-opening win against Blackpool at Home Park on September 12.
However, it is hoped that the 20-year-old will back be in action in the near future, possibly for the visit of Shrewsbury Town this coming weekend.
The Pilgrims’ next game after that will be the trip to play Hull City at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday, October 3.
Manager Ryan Lowe said: “We will have Luke Jephcott back in the next week probably, but we don’t want to rush him. We have got to be careful.
“We will monitor him this week. It’s not as bad as we first thought. He just had a little strain in his thigh.
“If he’s doing the right things - not walking on it and getting the right treatment - he should be fine very soon.”
Jephcott scored the winning goal against Blackpool, taking his tally for the calendar year of 2020 to eight in 17 games.