Strik ace Ennis closes in on his first team return

STRIKER Niall Ennis is finally closing in on a return to action for Plymouth Argyle after missing the first three months of this season.

The 22-year-old was set to return to full training today (Thursday) for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in the warm-up before the League one opener at Rotherham United on August 7.

Ennis had been picked to play up front with Luke Jephcott for that game at the New York Stadium after looking sharp in pre-season.

Instead, his dropping out at late notice opened the way for Ryan Hardie to get into the team and he has made the most of the opportunity.

Hardie has gone on to get 12 goals in all competitions this term, with the latest one coming in the 3-0 FA Cup first round replay win against Sheffield Wednesday at Home Park on Tuesday night.

The return of Ennis will only add to the attacking options for Ryan Lowe, who has Hardie, Jephcott, Kieran Agard and Jordon Garrick at his disposal. Garrick grabbed the other two goals against Wednesday with Jephcott away on international duty for Wales under-21s.

However, Jephcott will be available for the League One trip to Charlton Athletic, leaving Lowe with the problem of having to decide who his strikeforce will be at The Valley.

Former England youth international Ennis was signed by Argyle from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in January on a contract until June 2023.

He went on to make 18 starts and six substitute appearances for the Pilgrims last season and showed a lot of potential for the future, scoring six goals.

Now, after a hugely frustrating spell on the sidelines, Ennis is nearly ready to make his comeback and add further strength to the Argyle squad.

George Cooper has already done so, returning from a long term injury lay-off as a non-playing substitute in the FA Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday.