Tom Cleverley drops Plymouth Argyle transfer update | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley has admitted the club may need to enter the transfer market after recent injury blows.

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley has confirmed that the club are planning to enter the transfer market for defensive reinforcements after injuries to Jack MacKenzie and Julio Pleguezuelo.

Plymouth are currently preparing for life back in League One following their relegation from the Championship last season, and they get their campaign underway when they host Barnsley at Home Park on Saturday.

It has been a big summer of change for the Pilgrims, with Cleverley taking over as the club's new head coach following Miron Muslic's move to German side Schalke in May, and the 35-year-old has brought in 10 new signings during what has been a busy start to the transfer window.

However, Argyle have also lost a number of key players following relegation, including Maxi Talovierov, Adam Randell, Mustapha Bundu and Ryan Hardie, and it seems they are not quite done in the transfer market just yet.

After missing out on the signing of Burton Albion striker Rumarn Burrell to Championship side Queens Park Rangers, despite reportedly making a bid of close to £1 million, Plymouth have turned their attention to Nottingham Forest forward Dale Taylor, and as well as seeking further attacking reinforcements, they may now need to strengthen their back line.

Tom Cleverley makes Plymouth Argyle transfer admission

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's game against Barnsley, Cleverley confirmed that goalkeeper Conor Hazard is set to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks with a knee injury he picked up on international duty with Northern Ireland earlier this month, while he also revealed that defenders McKenzie and Pleguezuelo are also facing lay-offs, with the latter likely to require surgery to fix a knee problem.

Cleverley claimed that he was relieved the injury crisis has occured while there is still time left in the transfer window for Plymouth to strengthen, and he admitted the club may turn to the loan market to help solve their defensive shortage.

"I'm glad this has happened now, and not the last week of August. It's highlighted that we're at least two or three short, and we may dip into the loan market," Cleverley said, as quoted by the club's official X account.

The Pilgrims are believed to have made an offer to sign Celtic defender Stephen Welsh on loan, but although Cleverley refused to comment on that specific rumour, he did explain that he has a list of targets in mind for all positions.

"We have a shortlist of targets prepared in every position but really look at the realistic ones now, loan market and permanent market as well. It's something we will be looking to add depth and strengthen," Cleverley told Plymouth Live.

When pressed further about the links with Welsh, Cleverley replied: "It's one that I would prefer not to comment on other club's players. We are looking into the loan market in that position."

Plymouth Argyle should push to seal Stephen Welsh deal after Julio Pleguezuelo blow

After falling out of favour under Wayne Rooney at the start of last season, Pleguezuelo impressed in the second half of the campaign after being brought back into the team by Muslic, so his injury is undoubtedly a big blow for Cleverley.

As Pleguezuelo is expected to have to undergo surgery, it is likely he will be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and his absence will further deplete Plymouth's defence after the departures of Talovierov and Nikola Katic this summer.

Cleverley has confirmed that the Pilgrims will explore the loan market to replace Pleguezuelo, and the club should now step up their attempts to secure a temporary deal for Celtic defender Welsh to bolster their centre-back options.