Benarous adds to long list of injuries at Argyle

Midfield playmaker suffers a hamstring injury in Pilgrims' 1-0 victory at Port Vale

- CHRIS ERRINGTON [e-mail]

SUBSTITUTE Ayman Benarous hobbled off near the end of Plymouth Argyle's vital 1-0 victory over Port Vale after suffering a suspected hamstring injury.

It is the latest fitness setback for the 22-year-old, who was making his comeback after being out of action due to a knee issue which he had suffered in a training session.

Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley also confirmed after the match at Vale Park that striker Bim Pepple had not been available for selection because of a calf strain.

Injuries continue to be a major problem for the Pilgrims, as they have been all season, with midfielder Bradley Ibrahim picking up an ankle problem in training last week which will rule him out for a lengthy period of time.

Benarous (pictured) was sent on as a 69th minute substitute against Vale for defender Brendan Galloway, who had received treatment on the pitch and walked slowly off the pitch, but he then had to be replaced himself by Jamie Paterson in the 89th minute.

Cleverley said about the latest injury issues: "It doesn't ever get any easier. So Galloway, thankfully, fatigue. Pepple has picked up a minor strain and not with us today, and Benarous is a worry with his hamstring."