Plymouth Argyle injury updates ahead of Middlesbrough away match
Head coach Miron Muslic has spoken about Nikola Katic, Maksym Talovierov and Brendan Galloway
It is possible that defender Nikola Katic will recover from a hamstring injury in time for Plymouth Argyle’s Championship match against Coventry City on Easter Monday at Home Park, according to head coach Miron Muslic.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international is trying hard to be fit for the game following Good Friday, even though the relegation-threatened Pilgrims are fighting to stay in the Championship. However, the trip to Middlesbrough on Good Friday will come too soon.
In addition, Makysm Talovierov might be able to return to action before the season ends, having sustained a knee injury last month.
Muslic, though, was hesitant to place a deadline on the 24-year-old defender’s return to action because he didn’t want to put himself or the team’s medical staff under undue pressure.
The manager of the Pilgrims also welcomed good news regarding Brendan Galloway, who needed surgery after suffering a season-ending leg injury in Muslic’s first game as head coach, a 1-1 draw with Oxford United at Home Park on January 14.
Galloway has made significant progress in his recuperation, and it is anticipated that the Zimbabwean international will be fully recovered by the time preseason training begins in June.
After battling a hamstring injury for several weeks, Katic, who joined Argyle on loan from Swiss Super League team FC Zurich in late January, was unable to play in last Saturday’s crucial 2-1 victory against Sheffield United.
Muslic said: “I think we are progressing very well with Nikola Katic. We are very optimistic right now but there is even a little chance to maybe have him available for Monday. He desperately wants, so we will try everything to push for this.”
It’s never easy,” he added, “especially when the season is coming to an end and the loan players know they’ll be going back to their home club to lose a little bit of their energy, but with Katic, it’s the exact opposite.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad situation, but Nikola, an international football player, pushed us almost during this match against Middlesbrough. He could take the next two and a half to three weeks to fully recuperate. I enjoy this.
“All of the data is excellent because of this. All of the analysis is excellent, but before you sign people, you need do a character check. In January, I realised that this player would be ideal for our team.”
“I told you guys (the media) this is a player with a big, big heart, with a big, big commitment and look, he shows it even right now.”
Similar to Talovierov, he wants to resume playing as soon as feasible. “This guy is pushing really hard, and he wants to support and help,” Muslic added.
I do not wish to put him or the medical department under any kind of pressure. Both he and those guys are making every effort. We should meet in the centre. “Why not?”
Muslic stated on Galloway: “He’s progressively assimilated into the training and has been involved in many things. For instance, he was working on the boxes, the technical exercises, and everything else today.
“I know the season is about to end in two-and-a-half weeks but he’s very close to be fully fit and then we are going to have the (summer) break and when we start the pre-season he will be 100 per cent fit, available. I can just see it in Brendan’s eyes, he’s ready to push again.”
The defensive trio of Kornel Szucs, Victor Palsson, and Julio Pleguezuelo will line up across the back for Argyle against Middlesbrough, much as they did during the victory over Sheffield United.
Pleguezuelo’s ability to play at a high level for the Pilgrims despite suffering a dead leg and shattered ribs in recent games has pleased Muslic.
When the head coach said, “I love this guy,” “That’s why I made my decision so easily when I understood that he was nearing the end of his contract at the beginning of February and that we needed to finish the project as soon as possible.
“In terms of his thought, attitude, and mentality, he is an inspiration. We are extremely glad to have him in our organisation since he is an inspirational individual.
