Why Lewis Gibson did not play as a Plymouth Argyle sub at Norwich City

The central defender watched from the bench for the whole of the Pilgrims’ 6-1 Championship defeat at Carrow Road

Defender Lewis Gibson was not fit enough to play any part of Plymouth Argyle’s 6-1 trouncing by Norwich City even though he was on the substitutes’ bench at Carrow Road, Wayne Rooney has explained.

Gibson made his comeback from a thigh injury in the 2-2 draw with Watford at Home Park last Friday night, but it has continued to be an issue for him. His place in the team against Watford went to Iceland international Victor Palsson instead.

Rooney used all five of his permitted substitutions during the rout by Norwich, who led 2-1 before netting four times between the 52nd and 82nd minutes, but Gibson was not an option for Argyle head coach, who hopes the 24-year-old will be available for the trip to Bristol City on Saturday.

“Every defender I had available tonight was on the pitch,” said Rooney. “We are really down to the bare bones at the minute, I think we have got nine or 10 injuries to some very key players.

“Listen, that’s not an excuse for tonight’s performance. One player getting injured means other players who I speak to, and who are desperate to play, have been given an opportunity through players being injured. If you want to come to speak to me and ask about more game time, and you feel you should be playing then you need to back it up.”

On Gibson, Rooney added: “He travelled with us and he has literally just filled (a place on) the bench. He couldn’t play, and of course you need to look at the bigger picture as well with him. We will see how he is over the next 24-48 hours. We hope he will be available for Saturday.”

Morgan Whittaker has joined Argyle’s lengthy casualty list because of a toe injury and was not in the matchday squad against Norwich, while Ryan Hardie was still sidelined by a groin issue. Jordan Houghton was also missing due to a personal matter.

Whittaker first suffered the toe injury in the 1-1 draw at Derby County on November 9. Rooney said: “He played as long as he could against Watford. He has been for a scan. I’m not fully sure the naming of what it is but it’s nothing too serious. We are told it’s going to be a week to two weeks.”