Plymouth Argyle

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Ayman Benarous has been reinstated to Plymouth Argyle's squad list after initially being left out by the club just last week.

The summer signing from Bristol City has not played since being withdrawn at half-time during the Boxing Day defeat by Reading, and lost his place in the squad following the deadline-day signings of Wes Harding and Herbie Kane.

Argyle explored the possibility of a loan move to a non-league side for Benarous.

But after defender Kornel Szucs departed for Serbian top-flight side FK Vojvodina for an undisclosed fee on Friday, Benarous has been re-registered as part of Argyle's 22-man squad of players over the age of 21 who can compete in League One until the end of the season.

The news came as head coach Tom Cleverley also confirmed that midfielder Joe Ralls and defender Brendan Galloway have both undergone surgery this week.

Ralls has required surgery on a hamstring injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season, while Galloway is expected to miss four weeks to recover from a hernia.

Argyle will continue their League One campaign with a trip to Leyton Orient on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport, South West

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says a decision on whether top scorer Lorent Tolaj will play in Saturday's League One game at Stockport County will be left as late as possible.

The 24-year-old Swiss striker missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town after suffering a dead leg against Luton Town last Saturday.

"It'll be a balance of 'does the travel and everything set him back and it's too much of a risk'? Or have we got a real chance of him being on the bench or even starting?" Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

Tolaj has scored 15 goals for the Pilgrims since joining from Port Vale in August.

Fellow striker Bim Pepple has scored three goals in his past four games while Owen Oseni has returned to fitness and Caleb Watts can deputise in attack as well.

But despite those options Cleverley would still prefer to have Tolaj available.

"I don't think any defender in the league would be happy to see Lorent Tolaj," he added.

"So we might take Tolly and we might not make the decision until Saturday morning.

"It just all depends on the pain threshold and the swelling and things like that.

"It is genuinely a decision we'll leave as long as possible to make."

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."