Plymouth Argyle have reintroduced Ayman Benarous into their League One squad after weeks of being unable to play.
The 22-year-old played in 15 of the Pilgrims’ matches this season, including 12 in the third tier, but found himself out of Tom Cleverley’s plans following the conclusion of the January transfer window.
Sale Prompts Return
However, Benarous’ situation has changed in the past days, as he has now been included on Plymouth’s 25-man squad list for League One after the sale of defender Kornel Scuzs.
The Hungarian was sold by the Home Park side to Serbian outfit Vojvodina earlier in the week, following his final appearance for the club against Lincoln City, with Tom Cleverley’s side pocketing a reported £400,000 according to Plymouth Live.
Benarous has since been elevated back into the first team’s plans, a marked change from Argyle’s stance earlier when they were looking for a loan to the National League in order to give him game time.
Some of his other teammates have faced that same situation, with both Freddie Issaka and Caleb Roberts heading to nearby Truro City for the remainder of the season.
Speaking to Plymouth Live surrounding Benarous, Cleverley said:
“I’m pleased for Ayman. He has trained fantastically well after the disappointment of being left out.
“Football changes really quickly. Ayman could be a part of the biggest moment of the season for this football club. He has trained like he still believes that. We have submitted and had accepted his reinstatement to the squad.
“We were working with him to try to get him a loan move and that didn’t come off so now Ayman will be reinstated and be a well-respected part of our squad.”
Time To Prove Worth
With Kornel Scuzs gone permanently, Plymouth Argyle have moved immediately to register Ayman Benarous back into their League One squad for the rest of the campaign.
His return gives the Pilgrims some helpful depth at full-back, and now can support Jack McKenzie, Brendan Galloway and others when rotation is needed, especially this week as they face three fixtures in quick succession.
It has not been the best start to life since his move from Bristol City, with opportunities limited, but he should have some role to play for the remainder of the season with his team still in with an outside chance of a playoff place.
