Paton primed to make Plymouth debut against Pirates

Posted Friday, March 16, 2018 by PA

Plymouth manager Derek Adams could hand a debut to midfielder Paul Paton as they look to maintain their Sky Bet League One play-offs push against Bristol Rovers.

The 30-year-old joined the Pilgrims on Tuesday after being released by St Johnstone in January but could be thrown straight into the starting line-up for the clash at Home Park as the hosts deal with several injuries and illnesses.

Midfield duo Antoni Sarcevic (groin) and Jamie Ness (calf) will definitely miss out while full-back Gary Miller (hamstring) and striker Simon Church (hip) are also absent.

Centre-back Sonny Bradley is out indefinitely with an unspecified problem which saw him hospitalised earlier in the week, meaning Yann Songo’o is likely to partner Bristol City loanee Zak Vyner in defence.

Stuart Sinclair looks set to retain his place in the heart of midfield for Rovers with the visitors also in contention for the play-offs.

Darrell Clarke’s side sit just four points behind Plymouth in ninth place and are boosted by the fitness of Sinclair, who came through 76 minutes unscathed during their 1-1 draw with Northampton.

Full-back James Clarke is in contention to start after coming off the bench against the Cobblers to play in his second successive match following his long injury lay-off.

Tom Lockyer, who was called up by Wales boss Ryan Giggs for the upcoming China Cup event, is set to start at centre-back, but midfielder Ollie Clarke is a doubt with a knock which has ruled him out for the last three matches.