Kesler-Hayden displays no surprise to Schuey

THE way Kaine Kesler-Hayden has slotted so effectively into Plymouth Argyle's team at the start of their 2023/24 Championship campaign is no surprise to Steven Schumacher.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

The Pilgrims brought in the 20-year-old on a season-long loan from Premier League club Aston Villa and that already looks like a good move all round.

Argyle had been tracking KeslerHayden since his loan spells with MK Dons in League One in the second half of the 2021/22 season and then with Huddersfield Town in the Championship over the first half of last term. So Schumacher knew what to expect from the young upand-coming defender, who has impressed in a couple of starts playing out of position at left-back, rather than on the right.

Kesler-Hayden did miss the 0-0 draw at Watford after taking a kick to the top of a foot during the 2-0 Carabao Cup first round win against Leyton Orient.

However, he returned to the team for the Sky-televised clash against Southampton at Home Park on Saturday as Saxon Earley was ruled out by an ankle injury.

Schumacher said of KeslerHayden: "We knew he was a good player, that's why we wanted to bring him here. We have watched him over the last couple of years.