Reeves set for his first Argyle start
MIDFIELDER Ben Reeves is set for his first Plymouth Argyle start in the EFL Trophy tie away to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old Northern Ireland international made his debut for the Pilgrims as a late substitute in the 1-0 League One defeat at Hull City on Saturday.
Now Reeves is likely to get more extended game-time in the second of Argyle’s three matches in Southern Group F of the EFL Trophy.
Reeves, who was released by MK Dons in the summer, joined Ryan Lowe’s Pilgrims as a free agent late in the pre-season.
Since then he has been getting up to speed with Argyle’s head of fitness and conditioning John Lucas and head physio Dave Galley.
That led to him finally making his first appearance for the Pilgrims when he replaced Conor Grant in the 79th minute against Hull.
Lowe said: “We have had Ben on a programme and you have seen the sharpness in him.
“We have kept him with John and
Dave to make sure he’s fully fit and he’s not just coming in and playing a bit part, and then missing a week or two.
“He’s going to bring quality. He’s brave, gets on the ball, wants to get us ticking.
“That’s certainly what we think we need in parts of the game. We are hoping Ben can play on Tuesday night, we will see how he is.
“He’s going to be a great addition for us, along with the rest of the lads we have brought in.”
Another Argyle midfielder, Lewis Macleod, was absent from the squad against Hull due to a knee problem.
The Pilgrims were not left short in midfield, though after the loan signing of Nottingham Forest’s Tyrese Fornah, who was named among the substitutes.
Macleod had been taken off in the first half of the Pilgrims’ previous match, the 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town at Home Park.
Lowe said: “We left Lewis at home because he wasn’t quite right. He had only had two days training.
“We signed Tyrese so we had that cover there. There was never going to be a risk with Lewis.”
Argyle striker Luke Jephcott made the trip to Humberside after returning to training from a thigh strain.
However, he was not included in either the starting line-up or among the substitutes.
Lowe decided not to take a risk on the fitness of the Wales under-21 international when he had Dom Telford as an attacking option to come off the bench.
Argyle lost 3-2 to Norwich City Under-21s in their first EFL Trophy group game while Cheltenham won 1-0 away to Newport County.
Their goal that day was scored by former Argyle striker Reuben Reid and the 32-year-old could be involved against the Pilgrims again tonight.
Reid has made only three appearances for the Robins this season with his only two starts coming in the EFL Trophy and the Carbao Cup defeat at Millwall.