Macleod will be given a chance to earn new deal
MIDFIELDER Lewis Macleod has the final two months of this season to earn himself a new contract at Plymouth Argyle with his performances on the pitch.
The 26-year-old has returned to fitness after being sidelined by an ankle injury since the start of January.
Pilgrims’ boss Ryan Lowe declared that Macleod was ‘chomping at the bit’ to get back playing.
He was an unused substitute for the midweek 2-0 League One defeat away to Northampton Town, after being ruled out of the previous 12 matches.
Macleod signed for Argyle last summer after a short trial period following his departure from Wigan Athletic. He has been limited to a total of nine starts and two substitute appearances this season by knee and ankle injuries.
However, Macleod’s return to fitness adds undoubted quality to the Pilgrims’ squad.
Lowe said: “It’s fantastic, and for him as well. Lewis only signed a short-term deal with us and he has been chomping at the bit.
“We have had to make sure we do the right things with him. He has been to see specialists and had different things done.
“We have now got him where we feel he’s back to where he was in terms of fitness-wise. He obviously hasn’t had any games.
“Lewis is a fantastic number four. He can play in the eight position as well. He has got fantastic vision and fantastic ability to hit most passes, and he knows the game.
“That’s a big plus to have him back in and around. I was contemplating putting him on the other night and then I chose to put (Klaidi) Lolos on for a little bit different up top.
“Lewis certainly comes into contention because he’s now fit and ready.”
In past seasons, Macleod would have had a chance to get match fitness by playing in development squad games or friendlies against local non-League opposition.
That has not been possible, though, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and all the safety protocols around it.
Lowe added: “Lewis will be chomping at the bit to get back in the team to go and earn himself a contract.”
Midfield playmaker Danny Mayor is another player who is set to be out of contract at the end of the season.
Lowe was asked whether any talks had taken place with the 30-year-old about a new deal.
He replied: “That’s private and confidential. I have loads of discussions with a lot of players. They will stay in house.”
“Our lads know what we are about. I think I’m an honest manager with the. I say to them ‘You do well by me, I do well by you’. I think that has been proven over the couple of years we have been here.
“I’m not in panic stations where I have to go and offer someone a twoyear contract right now. I certainly don’t.
“The lads are playing for contracts, they are playing to get in the team, and that’s like every player up and down the country, not just at Argyle.
“A lot of clubs will be in the same position, but we feel we have got a fantastic group of lads, great togetherness and when the time is right we will sit down with the relevant ones who we feel can help us move forward.
“There is no rush in it. We have got 14 games to go and play and finish the season on a high. That’s what their focus and my focus will be.”