Boss Lowe will not stop players leaving Pilgrims
RYAN Lowe will stand not in the way of any Plymouth Argyle players who want to leave to get more game-time elsewhere.
The transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday (February 1) and there is a good chance of moves into and out of the League One club before then.
Lowe is still trying to sign a central defender to replace Niall Canavan, who joined Bradford City for an undisclosed fee earlier this month.
The Pilgrims’ boss has the budget to be able to bring in a new recruit to replace Canavan.
Then, if any players currently out of the team leave for another club, there would be the scope for Lowe to get in someone else.
Lowe said: “We know what we are looking for. It’s out there that we are looking for a centre-back.
“We are trying, we keep working hard. Maybe one or two might move on as well, which is fine.
“I want a squad that wants to compete, and I have got a good squad, but you might get one or two who are feeling ‘I’m not going to play’ or ‘I can’t get in the team’.
“Then fine, no worries, we will discuss that. But there is one certain area that we are looking to get and that’s obviously a defender as everyone knows.”
Lowe added: “We have got room to get one more centre-back, and if one or two who are not in the team at the moment move on then fine.
“As long as I can replace them, I won’t stand in anyone’s way. I want people here who want to fight for the shirt and keep working hard.
“I have got a good group, I have got lads who will do that, but I also know that sometimes it’s frustrating when you are not in the team and the team are doing well, and when is
that chance going to come. I understand both parts.”
Argyle made a bid, reported to be £50,000, to sign defender Janoi Donacien from Ipswich Town earlier this month but he went on loan to Fleetwood Town instead.
On the injury front, George Cooper is expected to miss the rest of the season after a knee operation last week.
However, midfielder Lewis Macleod and club captain Gary Sawyer are getting close to returning to action.
Sawyer has not played since September due to an ankle injury and subsequent surgery.
Lewis, meanwhile, has missed the last two matches after jarring an ankle in training last Friday.
Lowe said: “Lewis Macleod and Gaz Sawyer are not too long away and Adam Lewis will be back for Saturday (the home League One game against Accrington Stanley).
“So we have got three good players coming back in the next week or two, maybe three, which is promising.”
Meanwhile, Lowe has dismissed speculation linking Argyle with a move to sign Fleetwood Town midfielder Harrison Biggins.
The 24-year-old has been on loan at League Two side Barrow so far this season.
There were reports that Biggins, who is out of contract this summer, could be available for ‘a bargain fee’ this month or on a free transfer in the summer.
Argyle were one of three League One clubs linked to him, along with Karl Robinson’s Oxford United and MK Dons.
Lowe said: “I had a conversation with Karl Robinson this morning. Whoever his (Biggins’) agent is, is obviously putting him around to say that we and Oxford are after him.
“Karl said to me ‘Do you know this Biggins lad?’ and I went ‘No’ and he went ‘Nor do I’. It’s crazy isn’t it?
“I think I have seen him play a bit but, no, we are definitely not interested.”
Biggins has made 16 starts and nine substitute appearances for Barrow this term and scored twice.