Wayne Rooney unhappy Plymouth Argyle have Friday night game

Wayne Rooney has called it 'crazy' that Plymouth Argyle and Watford are having to play each other at Home Park tomorrow night as Championship action resumes after the third international break of the season.

The Pilgrims have had five players away on international duty, with Darko Gyabi (England under-21s) and Victor Palsson (Iceland) back at the club yesterday, followed by Freddie Issaka (Wales under-19s) later on. However, Mustapha Bundu (Sierra Leone) and Kornel Szucs (Hungary) were not due to return until today, leaving them little time to prepare for match, which was moved forward from Saturday afternoon for live broadcast on Sky Sports.

Rooney said: "Of course, it's not ideal, and we know Watford are having the same problem from that point of view, and they obviously have to travel as well. I think it's crazy to have the game on a Friday but it's something we have to deal with and we have prepared for it as best we can."

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Watford have also had a number of their players away on international duty. For example, defender Francisco Sierralta was a substitute for Chile in their 4-2 win at home to Venezuela in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Santiago on Tuesday.

Sierralta was flying back to London and then getting a taxi direct to Plymouth later today to join up with his club team-mates, according to Watford boss Tom Cleverley.

Argyle's squad will include experienced striker Andre Gray, who spent five years as a Watford player from 2017 until 2022. He made a total of 125 appearances during that time, including 66 as a substitute, and scored 21 goals.

Gray joined the Pilgrims as a free agent at the start of October and has a short-term contract which runs until January. So far, he has made one start and come off the bench three times, and scored in the dramatic 3-3 draw at home to Preston North End on October 26.

Rooney was asked whether he would like to see Gray stay at the club beyond January and replied: "I think Andre has come in and had an impact. He's a different option for us to the forwards we have got, so it's something of course we will look at.

"We have still got quite a few games from now until January. We have said to Andre and his agent that we will sit down and assess that come that time."

Argyle are entering a very busy period of 11 Championship matches in 44 days, up to and including an away fixture at Stoke City on January 4, and will want to get off to a good start against Watford.

Rooney said: "We have managed the break the best way we think is possible. Some players have had some time off, to get some sun but also to do their individual sessions, which I think is important. We have got a lot of games coming up over the next few months. The lads have come back and been really good in training the last few days so we are looking forward to the game."

The Argyle head coach added: "I have been away, reflecting on where we are at, so my plans for Watford have been pretty clear over the last week. It's obviously having the personnel in to work with and do that. With the game being that one day earlier it makes it a little bit more difficult, but we know exactly what we want to do and hopefully we can make the right decision."

The Pilgrims have already played Watford this season, but both Rooney and Cleverley made several team changes for the Carabao Cup second round tie at Vicarage Road in late August, which the hosts won 2-0.

Rooney said: "I thought first half we did okay, second half they changed their shape a little bit. Obviously, it was a cup game and both teams made a lot changes as well. We have assessed Watford and we know what their strengths are."

The rival bosses are good friends, and they have their families have been on holidays together, but that will all be put one side tomorrow night as Rooney and Cleverley watch their sides in action.

Rooney said: "We speak quite a bit but it's about Plymouth Argyle and Watford, not about us two. Of course we will both do everything to try to win the game."

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