Plymouth Argyle backed to sign Ryan Hardie in January on one clear Lorent Tolaj condition | OneFootball

FLW's Plymouth fan pundit has given his verdict on the possibility of re-signing Ryan Hardie in Jaunary

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Plymouth Argyle and Ryan Hardie could yet be reunited in January after his move to Wrexham in the summer.

The forward made the switch to the Championship side following the Pilgrims’ relegation to League One at the end of last season.

However, game time has been limited with the Red Dragons since joining Phil Parkinson’s side, with their sights set on remaining in the second tier beyond one year.

Hardie was a key figure for Plymouth during his stint with the club, and he contributed 10 goals and three assists in the previous campaign despite their relegation.

Some Pilgrims supporters on social media have been debating a possible return, if he continues to struggle for consistent minutes with Wrexham.

Ryan Hardie return plan welcomed

When asked about a possible return for Hardie at Home Park, FLW’s Plymouth fan pundit Luke Hodge claimed he would make sense as a signing in order to provide cover for Lorent Tolaj.

He believes that the current options as back ups to the forward are a big step down, and that Hardie could fill that role nicely, if he was open to coming back to the Devon outfit.

“I can understand the rumours going around about Ryan Hardie because there is a big concern that, should Lorent Tolaj get injured, then the drop off to [Owen] Oseni and [Aribim] Pepple is huge,” Hodge told Football League World.

“And that’s not to say that those lads haven’t been doing better, Oseni’s been playing really well and Pepple has been improving a lot, but there’s still a huge drop off.

“And there would be no one better to lead the line, should Tolaj get injured, than Ryan Hardie.

“Knows the club inside out, works his socks off, decent player, scores goals, he would be a great replacement for Tolaj, should he get injured.

“So, totally understand why those rumours should be flying around, and if everything falls into place and Hardie would be happy to do that, Wrexham would be happy to let him go, Cleverley felt he wanted him in his plans, then yeah it would be a decent move for everyone involved.”

However, Hodge is confident that a move for Hardie won’t come to fruition, even if he also thinks he could also work quite well with Tolaj in Cleverley’s system: “I still don’t think it will happen.

“And the other thing that would be interesting with that, should Tolaj not get injured, would he play Hardie and Tolaj together? He probably could play Hardie in the hole.

“It’s not a position he’s used to, however last season he performed really well sort of in behind under Miron Muslic in the last few games of the season.

“So, it’s not a position that’s really alien to him, so he could play up there together.

“Similar sort of what Oseni has been doing over this last past couple of games.”

Lorent Tolaj a preferred option to Ryan Hardie

Hodge has claimed that one reason why Hardie is unlikely to return is because he sees Tolaj as a better option in the starting lineup anyway.

“I can’t see it happening, the only way I could see it potentially happening is should Tolaj get injured prior to the January transfer window,” he continued.

“Then I would be all for it.

“But, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens really.

“For what it’s worth, I feel that Lorent Tolaj is a far better all around number nine than Ryan Hardie.

“I think he’s a better player than him, and I really like Ryan Hardie.

“He’s an excellent player and his work rate is phenomenal, but Tolaj is the real deal and he’s a far better all around number nine in my opinion.”

Plymouth have made an underwhelming start to the new League One season, but Tolaj’s performances have been a bright spot amid their uneven form.

Ryan Hardie return would be unlikely

Hardie hasn’t cemented himself as an important part of Parkinson’s team, but he still has a role to play at Wrexham.

Given he only joined the Red Dragons in the summer, it’s too soon to suggest that he should seek a move away again in January, if even on loan.

Losing Hardie was a blow for the Pilgrims, but the arrival of Tolaj has proven a smart move, and he’s been one of their best performers so far this season.

If Plymouth can strike a loan move for Hardie, then there’s no reason not to bring him back, but it seems unlikely at this stage.