League One leaders Plymouth Argyle host promotion rivals Huddersfield Town this weekend. The hosts are set to receive a big injury boost ahead of this early season test.
Argyle have started the season well. 10 games in and they are sitting pretty at the top of the table, two points above nearest rivals Bradford City. It’s worth noting Tom Cleverley’s side have played at least a game more than most of their rivals, but this early into the season, he will likely be happy with his side’s work.
Next up for them is a tough test against one of the teams expected to challenge them for promotion, Huddersfield Town. The Terriers let a 2-0 lead in the 87th minute slip last weekend against Sheffield Wednesday, so will likely be keen to make amends for that.
With such a crucial clash this early in the campaign, Plymouth fans will likely be happy to hear their leading scorer, Bim Pepple, will be available once again.
Bim Pepple Back for Huddersfield Town Clash
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the game, Cleverley confirmed his side’s striker will be back after missing last weekend with a hamstring strain. The former Manchester United midfielder said:
“We won’t be reckless with Bim. We don’t want to put him under extreme fatigue, but for sure 60 minutes is an option, and then we’ll see where he is on Sunday with how we approach Tuesday.
“You obviously need the player’s buy-in, and we’ve 100% got that. He’s raring to go, he would have played last week had we let him.
“We don’t want to put his body under extreme fatigue, which is in those dying stages, so don’t be surprised if there is sort of a management, but 60, 70 minutes is for sure in the picture.”
Welcome Return for Plymouth Argyle
Pepple’s return is excellent news for Plymouth. The Canadian, who’s into his second year with Argyle, has been key since joining from Luton Town.
Last season the 23-year-old scored 16 league goals in 35 appearances. That high tally wasn’t enough to finish as the club’s top scorer in the league, with Pepple being narrowly beaten by Lorent Tolaj, who scored 18, but it was some way to start life down south.
This season he’s started well again. Before picking up his knock, the forward had scored four goals in nine games. He has an xG of 3.83, suggesting he is getting high-quality scoring chances through his and his side’s work on/off the ball.
Despite leading the side in goals, he’s not Argyle’s top shooter. His 2.2 shots per game is just beaten by fellow forward Oliver Irow (2.3). While Pepple’s 0.8 shots on target per game is behind both Irow (one) and midfielder Ronan Curtis (0.9).
