Lowe sees quality in teen star

RYAN Lowe has highlighted the passing ability of defender Ollie Tomlinson as one of the reasons for offering him his first professional contract at Plymouth Argyle.

The 18-year-old from Ivybridge has spent the past two seasons as an apprentice at Home Park.

Now the ball-playing centreback will be making the step-up to the Argyle senior squad whenever the 2020/21 campaign gets under way.

Tomlinson has been promoted from the apprentice ranks along with wing-back Jarvis Cleal and striker Rubin Wilson.

Unlike Cleal and Wilson, Tomlinson has not made his first team debut yet, but Lowe sees a lot of potential in him.

Lowe told Argyle’s official website: “With Ollie, you have got a defender who is a good size, a good passer of the ball and a leader.

“He has led the youth team through the levels, and we see quality in him.

“We play three at the back and we feel, as a good footballer, he can try and fight his way into the first team.

“It’s going to be a tough ask but he has got potential, and we feel we can coach him at the next level.”

Tomlinson played regularly for Argyle in the Central League and Under-23 Premier League Cup in 2019/20, as well as for the under18s in the EFL Youth Alliance.

One of the highlights of his season was scoring the late equaliser when the Pilgrims drew 1-1 with Watford in a Premier League Cup group game at Home Park in October.

Meanwhile, the season may not have concluded, but the Green Army is being encouraged to vote for their Player of the Year.

A shortlist of eight players has been drawn up and Argyle supporters can register their vote by visiting the Plymouth Live website.