Plymouth Argyle will be without emerging talent Joe Hatch until next season after the club confirmed that the 18-year-old has undergone surgery.
The striker made his Pilgrims debut this season in a cameo appearance against Burnley, his only involvement of this season. He featured as Argyle faced an injury crisis and selection issues up front which left Ryan Hardie as the only available striker in the first team.
Sidelined Until Next Season
The Welsh Youth international posted a picture of him in hospital on social media after having to undergo a knee ligament reconstruction surgery.
Hatch had been prolific in the Plymouth under-18’s side and that led Wayne Rooney to select him as a substitute option when they played the Clarets in October. He came on for Darko Gyabi in the final moments of the game.
Speaking following his appearance, the former Derby County manager told Plymouth Live:
“One player’s misfortune in getting injured leaves an opportunity for another player to come in. Joe has done really well in the 18s and scored a lot of goals over the last few weeks.
“Michael Obafemi couldn’t play against his parent club and Ryan Hardie was the only recognised number nine for us so I felt it was a good time to bring him (Hatch) in.
“I have put him on the pitch towards the end and you are hoping he might get one opportunity and he takes it. I’m pleased for him, I think he deserves it through his performances. I’m sure he’s really proud.”
The Devon club have regained most of their options in attack, with Andre Gray and Muhamed Tijani now fully fit, however the latter has not played for the club or featured in a matchday squad since the end of September.
Writer’s View
It is a shame that Joe Hatch will be out for the season but it is not something that will majorly effect Plymouth Argyle. Whilst certainly it would have been nice for Wayne Rooney to hand him a few more appearances and become a more regular player in the first-team unit, Argyle have plenty of options upfront. Next season may see him emerge as a regular squad option or perhaps be handed a loan to a lower league side to gain regular playing minutes and help him progress as a player.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
