Wayne Rooney gives Plymouth Argyle injury updates on Lewis Gibson and Conor Hazard

Plymouth Argyle pair Lewis Gibson and Conor Hazard are making good progress in their recoveries from injuries, Wayne Rooney has revealed.

Centre-back Gibson has missed the last three matches due to a thigh problem he picked up during the 1-0 defeat at Millwall on October 23 while goalkeeper Hazard has not played since the end of August after an ankle operation. Gibson is still on target to be ready for a return to action after the forthcoming international break, which for Argyle will end with a Sky-televised game against Watford at Home Park on Friday, November 22.

When asked about that possibility for Gibson, Rooney said: "We hope so. He has obviously got a couple of weeks before that. That's the plan."

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Hazard started the first four Championship matches of the season and put in some impressive performances but suffered his ankle injury in the closing seconds of the 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City on August 31.

That opened the way for Dan Grimshaw, who had been signed a short while earlier to replace Michael Cooper after his transfer to Sheffield United for an initial £2 million, to become the first choice 'keeper.

Grimshaw has played the last 10 league games for the Pilgrims while the experienced Marko Marosi was signed as a free agent on a contract until January to provide cover and competition for him.

Hazard travelled as a non-playing member of Argyle's squad to the away Championship game against Leeds United last Saturday and was involved in part of the keepers' warm-up before the 1-0 victory over Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

Rooney said: "He should be back just after the international break as well, which is good. We will have three fit goalkeepers to choose from. I think Grimmy has done really well since he has come in. It's always healthy when you have competition for places. I thought Conor started the season really well and it gives me a decision to make."

Midfielder Adam Randell seems set to miss out for a third consecutive match when Argyle take on Derby due to a thigh issue. The 24-year-old should be fine after the international break, though. Rooney said: "He's 50-50, but probably more of a doubt to play on Saturday. We will try him tomorrow in training and see how he is."

Argyle captain Joe Edwards and Dutch under-21 international winger Ibrahim Cissoko have both had successful operations this week but are not expected to return to fitness until January.

It is hoped defender Brendan Galloway will be available for selection again soon after the international break after he picked up an ankle injury playing for Zimbabwe in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia last month. Meanwhile, on-loan Slavia Prague striker Muhamed Tijani is expected to be out until the new year after an operation on a torn hamstring.

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