Sawyer bacjk in training for Argyle

JOE Edwards returned to training with Plymouth Argyle yesterday after missing the last two matches because of a knee injury.

Byron Moore has filled in at right wing-back during the short absence of Edwards, who has been the Pilgrims’ skipper for much of this season.

Midfielder Danny Mayor wore the captain’s armband in the 2-2 draw away to Portsmouth last Saturday and the 1-0 win at Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.

Edwards picked up his injury during the 2-2 draw at home to Accrington on January 30 but a scan showed no serious damage.

Ryan Lowe will now have to decide whether to recall the 30-year-old to the team for the League One game against Fleetwood Town at Home Park on Saturday.

Midfielder Lewis Macleod and club captain Gary Sawyer were also taking part in training yesterday in a further boost to strengthening Argyle’s squad for the rest of the season.

Macleod has not played since the 1-0 home win against Gillingham on January 2 because of an ankle injury.

Sawyer, meanwhile, has been out of action since September but the 35-year-old can now finally join in with full training.

The defender suffered an ankle injury in the home 3-2 EFL Trophy defeat by Norwich City Under-21s.

Given how long Sawyer was sidelined for, Argyle are sure to continue taking it cautiously with him as he continues to work his way towards a first team return.

The visit of Fleetwood gives Argyle an opportunity to make amends for their worst defeat of the season.

Lowe saw his side thrashed 5-1 at Highbury Stadium in November, when they conceded two goals in the opening seven minutes.

That was the start of a sequence of six consecutive league defeats, but Argyle have turned it around since then.

They are unbeaten in seven matches at the start of 2021 and sit in 12th position, one place above Fleetwood and three points better off than them.

Lowe said: “The players are the same, we know what Fleetwood are about. We know what happened at their place - that’s a motivation in itself.

“Our lads are champing at the bit to play the game, like I am, because it was a disappointing afternoon up there.

“We know we want to try and put that right, but there is a good team in Fleetwood standing in the way.

“It’s not about me or Simon Grayson. Yeah, we show Simon the respect he deserves, he has been there and done it.”