Argyle’s injured pair stay involved
INJURED duo James Bolton and Niall Ennis are still very involved with the rest of the Plymouth Argyle squad despite their lengthy lay-offs, according to manager Ryan Lowe.
Bolton, a summer signing from League One rivals Portsmouth, and Ennis have not played in any games for the Pilgrims this season.
Neither of them is close to making a return to action yet, with Bolton ahead of Ennis in terms of recovery, but both were out on the training ground this morning working under the supervision of the medical staff.
Argyle have had a superb start to the season and are leading League One on goal difference from Wycombe Wanderers going into the away game against Oxford United on Saturday.
Lowe thought the form of their team-mates was providing extra motivation for Bolton and Ennis in their rehabilitation.
The Pilgrims’ boss said: “They see the buzz. Niall has come to me this morning and said ‘Gaffer, I’m on the grass, I’m out running’.
“It’s great. They are seeing what the lads are doing and they want to be a part of it. They are in the dressing room at the end after winning a game. They are in the tunnel waiting to give all the lads high-fives going out, and wishing them all the best.
“We have got a good group. Those two lads who have been unfortunate to miss the season so far are really champing at the bit to get back.”
Bolton, 27, suffered an ankle injury only a couple of days into pre-season and Lowe is hopeful the defender could finally return to training with the rest of the squad by the end of October or early November.
Lowe said: “He’s looking fit, he’s looking strong. He’s working his socks off with two or three sessions a day.
“I think maybe the end of the month he will probably join in with the group at some stage, but we don’t want to rush him.
“If we have got him around November/December time and he’s fit and firing then we will be pleased.”
Lowe continued: “He’s just a workaholic. When you come in in the morning he has already been in pool. He’s a great kid to work with. I know we haven’t seen much of him on the grass as yet but his attitude to working is different class and that’s probably what has got him through.
“He had two days of training and the next thing you know he’s out for a while. I’m really looking forward to having him back.”
Lowe has not ruled out Bolton being fit in time to play for Argyle in their final Papa John’s Trophy game against Arsenal Under-21s at Home Park on November 16.