Morgan Whittaker facing spell on the sidelines for Plymouth Argyle

Morgan Whittaker will not kick a ball again for Plymouth Argyle in 2024 because of the toe injury he first picked up last month.

Head coach Wayne Rooney has confirmed that Whittaker will be sidelined until January and therefore joins captain Joe Edwards, Dutch under-21 international winger Ibrahim Cissoko and striker Muhamed Tijani on the long-term casualty list.

Whittaker was hurt during the 1-1 draw away to Derby County on November 9 and then tried to play through it when Argyle took on Watford at Home Park after the international break but had to be substituted in the second half.

READ MORE: Plymouth Argyle injuries making it tough for Wayne Rooney says Neil Dewsnip

READ MORE: Plymouth Argyle to get cash boost if Michael Cooper plays for England

Since that 2-2 draw with Watford, the 23-year-old playmaker has missed the back-to-back heavy away defeats against Norwich City (6-1) and Bristol City (4-0).

While Whittaker has not hit the same heights as he did for Argyle last season, when he netted 19 times in the Championship and also had numerous assists, his attacking threat will be badly missed.

Rooney said during a Press conference at Home Park today: "It's really strange. I have never seen the amount of injuries we are picking up. It's frustrating but we have to go with the players who are fit and available and work with them."

On Whittaker, the Pilgrims' boss said: "He has got a small crack. He doesn't need surgery on it but it will keep him out until around about January. It's a big blow, the same with all the rest of the players who we are missing.

"We are missing quite a lot, as I keep saying, but some players are going to get another opportunity and I hope on Saturday (against Oxford United) they are ready to go and put in a good performance at home.

"Of course, the result is the most important thing but we need to really get the fans behind us and play with an energy, character and intensity which can help us win the game."

Rooney did have some positive injury updates about defenders Brendan Galloway and Kornel Szucs, as well as goalkeeper Conor Hazard. Galloway has not played since suffering an ankle injury playing for Zimbabwe in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia in October, while Hazard has been out since the end of August due to an ankle operation.

His injury led to Argyle signing Marko Marosi as a free agent to provide back-up for Dan Grimshaw, who has started every game for the Pilgrims since then.

Rooney is hopeful Galloway and Hazard will be available for selection against 17th-placed Oxford. "Brendan maybe a bit more 50-50, but Conor has trained now for the last couple of weeks," he said.

Szucs missed the 4-0 defeat at Bristol City last Saturday because of a hip problem, Rooney said: "He went for a scan and it revealed not too much but unfortunately it kept him out the last game. Hopefully he can be back for this week."

You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE