KEEPER OPTIONS

ARGYLE SPOILT FOR CHOICE FOLLOWING COOPER'S RETURN

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

THE return to fitness of Michael Cooper leaves Plymouth Argyle with 'three really good goalkeepers' according to head coach Ian Foster.

The highly-rated Cooper, 24, was back in the matchday squad for the first time since he suffered a medial knee ligament during a training session in December when he was named among the substitutes for the 2-0 Championship win away to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Cooper was selected ahead of Callum Burton as the back-up to Northern Ireland international Conor Hazard for the match at the Riverside Stadium, which saw the Pilgrims get their first league victory in five games.

Foster has welcomed the extra competition for places that Cooper, who also suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament knee injury early in 2023, will bring.

He said: "It's great for Coops. He has trained with the group now for a few days on the back of training with Darryl (Flahavan, Argyle's goalkeeping coach) for over a week so he's not quite ready but it's good to have him back in and around the place.

"He has got a smile on his face, he has got a spring in his step and we want competition for places all over the pitch. That's important to us and Michael offers that.

"By the way, Callum is a good goalkeeper as well. We have got three really good goalkeepers and we are pleased with all three of them.

"I think Michael has played 14 games in 14 months, which is difficult for any player so he has had to be mentally really strong. It's just nice to get him back around the group."