He is on the way back

Plymouth Argyle ace Graham Carey to return to full training next week after injury

MIDFIELD playmaker Graham Carey is set to return to training with promotion-chasing Plymouth Argyle next week after a knee injury.

The visit of Stevenage to Home Park in League Two on Saturday will come too soon for the 26-year-old to be involved.

But manager Derek Adams admitted that Carey 'possibly' could be available for the away game against Bristol Rovers next weekend.

Carey had been Argyle's stand-out player this season until he suffered a medial knee ligament injury during the 1-1 draw at Dagenham and Redbridge on November 28.

He scored eight goals in a total of 22 starts and two substitute appearances for the Pilgrims after leaving Scottish Premiership club Ross County in the summer.

Carey also provided a number of assists, with his accurate passing as well as his ability at taking corners and free-kicks.

The return to action of Carey cannot come soon enough for Argyle as they bid to maintain their challenge at the top of League Two.

Adams told Herald Sport: "We are hopeful he will be back in full training next week."

Star striker Reuben Reid made his first start in almost three months in the 2-1 defeat by Northampton Town in a top-of-the-table clash at Home Park on Tuesday.

Reid had been sidelined by a hip flexor injury and Adams was encouraged with the performance of Reid before he was taken off in the 67th minute of the match.

"He looked very good and moved well," said Adams. "It was important that he didn't play for 90 minutes, just to get him back in match time.

"We will see how he is over the next couple of days because there could be a wee reaction to playing his first match but we are hopeful he can play a part on Saturday."

Reid had netted six goals in 15 games, only one of which was as a substitute, before he picked up his injury in mid-October.

With Carey also close to making his comeback, Adams will have an array of attacking options open to him.

The Pilgrims' boss made his first new signing of the January transfer window on Tuesday when Hibernian centre-back Jordon Forster arrived on loan until the end of the season.

There has been a lot of talk – although none of it by Adams – about his interest in former Manchester United star Alan Smith, the 35-year-old Notts County midfielder.

But when Adams was asked by Herald Sport whether there could be any more new arrivals before the game against Stevenage, he replied: "No, I don't think so."

The Argyle manager confirmed earlier this week that the club had rejected a bid for one of their players but declined to identify him.

There have been no further offers, according to Adams, and he added: "We want to keep our full squad intact.

"I don't think we can allow anybody to leave because we have got a tight squad as it is."

One player whose future does appear uncertain at Argyle is 20-year-old centre-back Aaron Bentley.

He made three first team starts and one substitute appearance last season but has not played in any games this term.

And the arrival of Forster has further reduced his chances of seeing any action.

Adams said: "He's one that needs game-time somewhere. I have spoken to the player and something will come of that, possibly by the end of January."

Midfielder Graham Carey in contention for Plymouth Argyle return at Bristol Rovers

GRAHAM CAREY is in contention for a return to Plymouth Argyle's squad for the away game against fourth-placed Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

The Pilgrims' midfield playmaker has returned to full training after a knee injury and, according to manager Derek Adams, is 'looking good'.

Carey has been out of action for the last seven weeks but Argyle have been able to retain top spot in League Two despite that.

The 26-year-old suffered medial knee ligament damage during the 1-1 draw away to Dagenham and Redbridge at the end of November.

Adams said "He's back training this week and looking good.

"Hopefully he can progress and build up his stamina over the next couple of days and we will see what he's like for Bristol on Saturday."

Carey was Argyle's key player for the first four months of the season, scoring eight goals and creating many more from a total of 22 starts plus two substitute appearances.

His injury came at a time when the Pilgrims had an already lengthy casualty list, but they managed to overcome that with good performances from players stepping into the side.

Argyle are currently top of the table, on goal difference from Northampton Town, after winning five of their last six games.

Adams said: "We have got a good group of players here. Graham Carey is an important part of the team, and he was one of the ones that was able to propel us on.

"Some of them have come in and performed really because they have been given that opportunity.

"Some players are now looking like they are first choices, and that's a good problem to have."

Carey's return to training is another boost for Argyle, who have had star striker Reuben Reid back in their starting line-up for the last couple of games.

Reid was sidelined for almost three months by a hip flexor injury which he suffered in mid-October.

Adams said: "We had Reuben Reid out and he didn't start a game for us for 15-16 matches.

"So to have two goalscorers (Carey and Reid) back in contention is very good.

"We have got (Ryan) Brunt, (Jake) Jervis, (Gregg) Wylde and (Craig) Tanner all scoring goals. I think it's good we have that competition.