Wayne Rooney declared that Ryan Hardie and Morgan Whittaker ‘played through the pain barrier’ as they made earlier than expected returns from their injuries in Plymouth Argyle’s 2-0 defeat away to Oxford United.
Both were prepared to do so after an already depleted Pilgrims’ squad lost Mustapna Bundu to a hamstring injury in the 4-0 Boxing Day thrashing at Coventry City while Callum Wright was sent-off in the closing stages of the game and will have to serve a three-match suspenion.
Rooney said: “Credit to the two players, they probably shouldn’t have played today. They have played through the pain barrier for us but ultimately that’s where we are at, if they didn’t then we wouldn’t have players to fill the bench.”
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
Whittaker had been ruled out for six matches by a toe injury while Hardie suffered a badly gashed left knee during the 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough at Home Park on December 23.
Initially it was thought the striker could miss all or most of the Christmas and New Year period of games but, instead, he led the attack against Oxford and played the whole game as well. Nineteen-year-old midfielder Caleb Roberts, who was a half-time substitute for Rami Al Hajj, was another who was not fully fit.
Rooney said about Hardie: “We spoke with him, we spoke to the doctor. He has still got his stitches in so there was obviously a danger of it reopening and infections, and things like that.
“It was pleasing he wanted to play, the same with Morgan, and we needed them. Ryan and Caleb haven’t trained, Morgan has had a couple of sessions with us.
“If them three didn’t go through the pain barrier for us today we would be three players down on the bench. Thankfully they did because I don’t think that sounds good. Ryan played 90 minutes, Morgan 80, Caleb 45 so that will help them moving forward.
“It was obviously a difficult afternoon for all of us but you want players who want to play, and then for me the biggest positive was young Tegan (Finn) again. He had the courage to take the ball and get at players, and put in a few good crosses in.”
Academy product Finn, 16, made his full debut against Coventry and was a 68th minute substitute for Brendan Galloway, by which stage Argyle were already trailing 2-0 and heading for an 11th defeat from 13 away Championship matches this season.
The Pilgrims were last night waiting on the outcome of a scan of Bundu’s hamstring injury while Rooney reported that “Michael Obafemi still hasn’t trained but potentially could be involved in some capacity on New Year’s Day.”
Argyle will host Bristol City in their next match at Home Park on January 1. Obafemi has been sidelined for the last two games by a groin injury he suffered early on against Middlesbrough.
You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE
PlymouthLive has launched a Plymouth Argyle transfer news and top stories group on WhatsApp and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we’ll send all the latest straight to your phone.
To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the PlymouthLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.