Lowe delighted to have Macleod back for Argyle
RYAN Lowe has revealed how there was an injury scare for midfielder Lewis Macleod before Plymouth Argyle’s 1-0 win against MK Dons at Home Park.
Macleod made his first start for the Pilgrims since late September after recovering from a knee injury.
That came after comeback appearances as a substitute in the previous couple of games.
However, there were some anxious moments for Macleod - and Lowe - during the last training session before the MK Dons match.
Lowe spoke about that incident as he praised the performance of the 26-year-old in the first League One win since November 3, which ended a run of six successive defeats.
“Lewis made a massive difference,” said the Pilgrims’ boss. “We had a little scare with him (on Friday) actually.
“He jarred his knee. He went to hit a volley and the ball went too fast, it skidded off the grass because it was raining.
“I thought ‘Oh no’. Dave (Galley, head physio) sat him down but he had just opened it a little bit and he was fine. It was the other knee compared to what he had.”
Macleod had played the whole of the second half when Argyle lost 2-1 at Crewe Alexandra last Tuesday.
He then started in the midfield holding role against MK Dons, which meant Nottingham Forest loan signing Tyrese Fornah dropped down to the substitutes’ bench.
Lowe said: “Lewis is key to us. Tyrese has been excellent in there as well, he’s disappointed he’s not in the team at the moment.
“He’s a youngster coming from Nottingham Forest to play games and learn.
“In terms of Lewis Macleod, that’s why he has played at Championship level because you have seen what he does.
“He said he was turning around at me after 60 minutes looking for his number, but he wasn’t coming off that early!”
A tired Macleod did come off eventually, but not until the 90th minute when he made way for Ben Reeves.
The former Rangers midfielder signed for Argyle in the summer after leaving Wigan Athletic.
He started the first three league games this season and was set to be one of their most important players until he picked up his knee injury.
That meant a frustrating spell on the sidelines for Macleod as he could not show what he was capable of at his new club, but he has to chance to do so now.
Lowe said: “I’m pleased for Lew because he has had a tough time. He has moved down here with his missus and he wants to get his career back on track.
“He has had two-and-a-half to three months out and has been around the house a lot.
“They say tough times don’t last, tough people do, and Lewis is tough. I think we just have to wrap him up in cotton wool, but that’s the way he plays. He’s quality.”