Plymouth Argyle injury updates on Ibrahim Cissoko and Brendan Galloway
Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway was today having a scan on an ankle injury which he suffered while playing for Zimbabwe earlier this week.
Galloway is not expected to be available for the away Championship match against Cardiff City on Saturday (12.30pm). However, winger Ibrahim Cissoko is set to be part of the Pilgrims' squad in the Welsh capital despite not joining up with the Dutch under-21 squad for two games during the international break due to an injury.
Cissoko, the loan signing from French Ligue 1 club Toulouse, has been in excellent form for Argyle lately and head coach Wayne Rooney was optimistic about him being fit for the trip to play Cardiff.
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Rooney said: "He had a bit of a knock, it's something we have been monitoring. He has been out on the training pitch the last few days but it has been tailored. He got through today (Thursday) and I'm pretty sure he will be available for Saturday."
Galloway played the whole game for Zimbabwe when they drew 0-0 with Namibia in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last Friday but was substituted in the 26th minute of the return match between the two nations on Monday.
Rooney said: "We are waiting on a scan but I think it's very unlikely he will be available for Saturday. It was on his ankle. Until we get the scan we don't know the details on it."
Galloway started the season playing for Argyle in the Championship but has been on the substitutes' bench recently given the fine form of the centre-back pairing of Lewis Gibson and Kornel Szucs. Rooney said: "He's going for a scan today and hopefully it's not too serious. I know he hasn't been playing much of late but he is an important player for us."
Experienced striker Andre Gray could be included in the Argyle squad for the first time against Cardiff, who are still without a permanent boss after the sacking of Erol Bulut last month. Gray, 33, was a free agent signing a fortnight ago after Muhamed Tijani suffered a long-term hamstring injury.
Gray had previously been playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Riyadh and did not get international clearance in time to be selected for the Pilgrims' 2-1 home Championship win against Blackburn Rovers on October 5. Rooney said: "He has been working really hard. I'm delighted to have him available for selection on Saturday."
Cardiff have been under the temporary charge of Omer Riza for the last three games, during which time they have picked up four points. Prior to that, they had just one point from six matches under Bulut.
Rooney said: "They have changed the style of play slightly over the season and are trying to play more football, but we know Cardiff are always a threat off set pieces. They have got some real experienced players who make it difficult for you.
"Every game in this league is a difficult one and we have to go there with a belief we can win the game, which I think we can, but you also have to understand Cardiff are a good team and they will cause us problems so we have to be ready."
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