Lowe will not push Cooper into a swift return
GEORGE Cooper is getting fitter and stronger as he works to finally overcome 10 months of injury problems, according to Plymouth Argyle manager Ryan Lowe, writes Chris Errington.
No date is being put on when the 24-year-old could return to action, though, given the difficulties that Cooper has had to deal with along the way.
He had a knee operation in January and did make a very brief comeback as a substitute in the 4-1 Carabao Cup defeat away to Swansea City on August 24.
However, Cooper then had to deal with an ankle issue and has been working head physio Nick Fulton and others to return to full fitness.
Lowe said: “George will be out with the physios today (Thursday). We are looking to get George back on the grass on Monday. He’s doing some running now.
“I don’t want to push it too much because we have got to make sure it’s right but he’s fine, he’s getting fitter and stronger, he’s doing his weights and whatever else he needs to do.
“I got a telling off from the medical team last time when I said he would be back. We have had a good discussion and I won’t do that again.”
Cooper would likely have played at left wing-back this season had he been fit but, instead, Conor Grant has made that role his own, with Ryan Law providing competition for him.
Argyle also continue to be without the injured duo of defender James Bolton and striker Niall Ennis, but midfielder Danny Mayor has now made three substitute appearances after recovering from a thigh injury.
Lowe is starting to have more options when it comes to picking his starting line-ups and substitutes and admits that is a good problem to have.
Squad rotation is likely given the busy schedule of games, with defender Macaulay Gillesphey and striker Luke Jephcott making way for Brendan Galloway and Ryan Hardie for the 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Home Park on Tuesday.
Lowe said: “There is a lot of games coming up, there is a lot of games played. Lads will be disappointed when they are out the team but it’s an 18-19 man squad game, it’s not just about the 11 that play.”