Morgan Whittaker has not been named in Plymouth Argyle's squad for the Championship match against third-placed Burnley at Home Park tonight.

The reason for the absence of Whittaker is not clear but it is bound to only intensify speculation about the future of the talented 24-year-old attacker. Burnley and Middlesbrough have both made bids for Whittaker during the January transfer window.

Whittaker, who was also a target of Burnley at the end of the 2024 summer transfer window, recently hit the national headlines with his superb winning goal for Argyle in their shock 1-0 Emirates FA Cup third round tie away to Premier League club Brentford on January 11.

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Whittaker is replaced in Argyle's starting line-up against Burnley by Nathanael Ogbeta in the only change from the 1-0 home defeat by Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Argyle head coach Miron Muslic spoke about Whittaker during a Press conference yesterday and said: "I will not confirm any rumours but Morgan is offensively our best player, our strongest player, and he's a target (for other clubs) naturally in January.

"He's still an Argyle player, he's still under contract so for us he's available and selectable. He has a value as a player and if other clubs want to grab him and to take him I think they have to pay the price for this."

Given the speculation about Whittaker's future, Muslic was asked whether he thought the talented attacker was in the right frame of mind to play against Burnley. He replied: "That's part of our business and we have always to remain professional and to respect a contract.

"Until the other team is putting the money on the table that Argyle is demanding they are all our players and under contract. I think it's very important to stay professional all the time."

Muslic was interviewed on Sky Sports before the game against Burnley and was asked about the absence of Whittaker from his squad. He replied: “There’s not a lot [I can say] because I have to focus only on the players who can help us tonight. It’s just an hour before the game, so all the focus and all the energy goes towards the lads on the pitch and those on the bench."

Argyle team versus Burnley: Dan Grimshaw; Bali Mumba, Julio Pleguezuelo, Victor Palsson, Nathanael Ogbeta; Adam Randell, Darko Gyabi; Rami Al Hajj, Michael Baidoo, Tymoteusz Puchacz; Ryan Hardie. Substitutes: Jordan Houghton, Ibrahim Cissoko, Callum Wright, Mustapha Bundu, Matty Sorinola, Zak Baker, Caleb Roberts, Freddie Issaka, Tegan Finn.

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