Mumba could be given a new role as Argyle seek a change in fortune

WAYNE Rooney has confirmed he is open to the idea of playing left-back Bali Mumba further up the pitch for Plymouth Argyle.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Mumba has played in all 11 Championship games for the Pilgrims this season, starting nine of them and coming off the bench twice, and been used by Rooney as a left-back. However, the 23-year-old did play in an attacking role on that side of the pitch under former boss Steven Schumacher last term.

Argyle are again without Dutch left winger Ibrahim Cissoko for their fixture against Preston North End at Home Park today as he sits out the second of a three-match suspension. Mustapha Bundu replaced him for the 1-0 defeat away to Millwall on Wednesday but did not make too much of an impact. So would Rooney consider playing Mumba in that role? "Of course," he replied.

"We know his attributes and in the past he has been an attacking player. When you are picking a team you have to look at the options you have got, who's best to play in every position.

"Bali made a mistake on Wednesday, which can happen, but I think he has done well in the position he's playing. He's certainly an option for us as well a bit further forward, whether that's on the left or right."

The Argyle squad stayed in London after the game against Millwall so Rooney spent much of his 39th birthday yesterday travelling back to Plymouth. He joked: "I enjoyed a nice six or seven-hour journey back on the bus!" More seriously, he added: "We were planning for Preston on the way back. That's the life of a manager."

It will be a very quick turnaround between matches but Rooney said: "I'm not going to sit here and make excuses. What we can do is prepare the players the best we can.