Pleggy intent on keeping his place in team

SPANISH DEFENDER DETERMINED TO GRASP ARGYLE OPPORTUNITY

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

JULIO Pleguezuelo is determined to make the most of his return to action for Plymouth Argyle after waiting so long to get the chance.

The Spanish defender did not play a single minute in the Championship this season until he was a substitute early in the second half of the 3-3 draw with Preston North End at Home Park on October 26 after a hamstring injury to Joe Edwards.

With Lewis Gibson and Brendan Galloway also on the Pilgrims' casualty list, Pleguezuelo has started the last two games for Argyle the one-sided 3-0 defeat away to Leeds United last Saturday and the 1-0 win at home to Portsmouth on Tuesday.

That was the Pilgrims' first clean sheet in 14 Championship games and Pleguezuelo, who played at left centre-back alongside Kornel Szucs, put in a good defensive display.

Pleguezuelo said: "It feels really good, grateful for the opportunity to be back in the starting 11 and making the most of it. It was an important win the other night and just want to keep building on that." The former Arsenal under-21s captain has found himself down the pecking order at Argyle this season largely because of the developing centre-back partnership between Gibson and Szucs.

Gibson has missed the last three matches due to a thigh injury but Szucs has continued to be a strong presence.