Plymouth Argyle

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway was an unused substitute as his Zimbabwe team-mates lost 2-1 to Egypt in a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations opener.

The Warriors led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Prince Dube's strike against the run of play midway through the first half.

But Egypt piled on the pressure after the break with Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush equalising in the 64th minute before Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored the winner in stoppage time.

Galloway's next chance to play in the tournament comes on Friday when Zimbabwe face Angola at 12:30 GMT.

Image source, Shutterstock

Lorent Tolaj will have learnt from his three-game ban says Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley.

The Pilgrims' top scorer has missed the last three games after a red card for violent conduct in the 3-0 loss to Leyton Orient last month.

The 24-year-old, who has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season, is in line to return to the side for Saturday's trip to Doncaster Rovers.

"I expect he's mature enough and he's professional enough to have learnt by that," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"We don't want to take that edge away from Tolly's game because I think it is a positive, but what's important is that the line doesn't get crossed again."

Argyle have won their last two matches 1-0, with Owen Oseni impressing up front in Tolaj's absence.

Cleverley says the 22-year-old has given him a difficult selection decision ahead of the trip to South Yorkshire.

"Owen Oseni did a great job in filling that void, well enough to be considered to keep his shirt," Cleverley added.

"That's something we'll decide over the next 24 hours and how Tolly, as our top goalscorer, will come back into the team, but Owen has done himself no harm in keeping his place as well."

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley heaped praise on midfielder Joe Ralls after his goal settled their 1-0 win over Rotherham United.

The 32-year-old's strike close to half-time was his first since joining Argyle as a free agent last month.

The victory helped Argyle move up to 21st place in League One with the Pilgrims inside the relegation places on goal difference.

"He's a top quality player," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"He's another one who brings us that bit more of the balance in the age profile of the squad.

"I thought it was a really good performance, he's real class in the middle of the park and scored a well-worked goal to cap it off.

"I think he'll only continue to get better, so I'm really pleased for him because he's had a couple of niggles since he's been at the club, but the two starts he's made, he's been outstanding."

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle defender Jack Mackenzie could return to training in the new year.

The summer signing from Aberdeen has yet to kick a ball in anger for the Pilgrims after a series of injuries that began in pre-season.

Having been hit by tendonitis in his knee, the 25-year-old then developed shin splints.

However, Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley is hopeful he is coming to the end of his injury issues.

"Jack's problem circulated around his legs a little bit where he was maybe compensating in the rehabs and the problem then was putting stress and strain on another area of his body," Cleverley said.

"But he's pain-free now, he's all about building himself back up fitness-wise and we're hopeful to see him out there around the new year."

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley says he has spoken to the English Football League's referees' chief about decisions given against his side.

Cleverley was left upset at the penalty for Bradford City which sealed the Bantams' 1-0 win at Home Park on Saturday.

He felt there had not been enough contact by defender Julio Pleguezuelo on Stephen Humphrys to justify a foul being given.

Cleverley says he has spoken with Mike Jones about the decision, as well as a number of other incidents he has been unhappy with in recent weeks.

"I don't want to reveal too much detail on that conversation," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"But he saw some of what I've seen over the last few weeks and it's been made aware of amongst the referees.

"They'll always referee the game objectively, as they should, but I think it's important I defend our team and our club for some of the decisions we've been on the wrong end of recently."

Image source, Shutterstock

Julio Pleguezuelo says it was an "amazing feeling" to return to the field after being out all season.

The Plymouth Argyle defender started Tuesday's Vertu Trophy win at Leyton Orient after recovering from knee surgery.

The 28-year-old Spaniard was injured in Argyle's final game of pre-season back in August.

"It was an amazing feeling to be back out there on the pitch," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"It's been a long time coming, but I got through all my rehab and all my training sessions completely fine and now I'm ready to hit the ground running."

He added: "The first couple of weeks of doing pitch training, I could feel that I needed to get back used to doing what I used to do.

"But especially last week in training, I could really start feeling the sharpness coming back, my intensity in training, and Tuesday night I didn't feel too much out of place.

"Obviously, it's tough on the lungs sometimes - the first game back after a while. But I got through the 45 minutes completely fine and I just want to keep going now."

"Whenever a manager comes into a football club, ultimately the first thing they need to do is get results and he's [Kim Hellberg] done that. It was a great start."

The 72+ team are joined by ex-Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith to talk about high-flying Championship pair Boro and Millwall, along with struggles at Swansea, Plymouth Argyle, Port Vale and Bristol Rovers.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg led his side to victory in his first game in charge - can he get them purring all the way to the Premier League?

"Kim doesn't strike me as someone who is daft - he's come into the football club, he knows all the players, he knows what's been good about the team from the start of the season, he knows where there could be improvements," Smith said.

"I think that's his general remit now - to get the players at the top end of the pitch going, get them a little bit more expansive while keeping the back door shut.

"You know what it's like in the Championship, you've got to have balance. You've got to have both things to be successful in the league."

Listen to the full episode of 72+ and more on BBC Sounds.