Argyle insist Ennis is not a Jephcott replacement
Welsh Under-21 international will not be leaving Home Park, insists manager Lowe
NEWLY-SIGNED striker Niall Ennis has not been brought in by Plymouth Argyle as a potential replacement for top goalscorer Luke Jephcott, manager Ryan Lowe has insisted.
Wales Under-21 international Jephcott has emerged as one of the hottest young prospects in the EFL after getting 15 goals this season.
Lowe has received assurances, though, that Argyle are not about to sell Jephcott in the January transfer window to a club higher up the Football League.
The Pilgrims’ boss wanted to add another striker to his squad after Timmy Abraham returned to Fulham last month following an unsuccessful loan spell.
Backed by the Argyle board, Lowe was able to sign 21-year-old Ennis from Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee on a contract until the summer of 2023.
Ennis did not get any goals while on loan to Burton Albion in the first half of this season but he is someone who Lowe rates very highly.
The new recruit made his debut for Argyle as a 75th minute substitute in the 2-1 League One win away to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last night.
Lowe said: “Niall has always been on our radar. We wanted to add one more. People might look at it and say ‘Jephcott is going’, but he’s going nowhere.
“We had Timmy with us and it didn’t quite work out for him. The board of directors put something to me that we want another Jephcott type so we can coach them and make them better.
“Niall’s pedigree is different class where he has been, what he has done. The value of him a few years ago was very high.
“He played for England, he scored goals in League One for Doncaster. Yeah, he didn’t have the best of starts when he went to Burton.
“He didn’t really play many games and when he did he wasn’t at his best. We just felt it was an opportunity for us to get another youngster of his pedigree on our books for long term.
“Thanks to the board of directors for backing us on it because we always knew that if we could get one of them it would help Argyle along the way.
“He’s certainly going to bring a big impact to the football club. You could see that from the few minutes he was on the pitch (against Sunderland).
“He’s a great lad, a diamond of a kid, and we want him to keep growing with us.”
The deal which took Ennis to Home Park was completed just in time for him to be included in the squad for the game against Sunderland.
Lowe was pleased with the contribution of Ennis for the short while he was on the pitch as Argyle secured their first away league win of the season.
He said: “We spoke to Niall and his agent. We were on to him for a while. He’s a Wolverhampton boy and he’s only a youngster.
“He has now had to uproot and come down (to Plymouth). When I spoke to him I said ‘Look, it’s a big decision, but you will love it.’
“He already loves it. I gave him the nod just before we got on the coach to say all the clearance had come through, and everything else, and he was allowed to play.
“He was over the moon with it. I was hoping he could come on and nick a goal, but he did more than enough.
“Yeah, it is a big commitment from him and from us but we feel that he can grow with us. He has got fantastic qualities.”
As for the future of Argye’s top scorer, Lowe was unequivocal that 20-year-old Jephcott would be staying at least until the end of this season.
Lowe said: “Luke Jephcott is going nowhere. He’s our player. He’s in fantastic form - he’s doing absolutely great.
“We are not in a position where we need to sell. People might be worried because we have brought Niall in and think he’s a replacement for Luke. He’s certainly not.
“I don’t bet, so I can’t even say ‘I will bet you anything’, but I have got assurances that Luke is not going anywhere.”
He added: “We have got our own valuation of Luke. He’s one of our own.
“He’s doing a fantastic job, long may that continue. In the future I can’t say whether he would move on.
“But, at this moment in time, Luke Jephcott won’t be going anywhere this season.”