Plymouth Argyle star suffers 'serious' blow ahead of new season | OneFootball

Tom Cleverley has confirmed the extent of Michael Baidoo's hamstring injury

Plymouth Argyle star Michael Baidoo has suffered a significant injury just a couple of weeks ahead of the new League One season.

The forward has returned to Home Park this summer after spending last season on loan with Umm Salal in Qatar.

The 27-year-old is the club’s record signing, but has made just 11 league appearances since arriving from Elfsborg.

Tom Cleverley has integrated him back into the first team squad over the summer ahead of the new League One campaign.

But Baidoo suffered a hamstring injury in their recent 0-0 draw against Championship side Bristol City in a pre-season friendly.

This will come as a blow to the Pilgrims, with the new term set to begin in less than two weeks.

Tom Cleverley provides Michael Baidoo injury update

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Cleverley has confirmed that Baidoo is set for a significant spell on the sidelines following his injury against the Robins at the weekend.

A scan has shown that he will need up to 12 weeks to recover from this fitness setback, with the Plymouth boss outlining just how big of a blow this is for the team.

"We are gutted,” said Cleverley, via Plymouth Live.

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“I have not seen Michael before this pre-season and we saw more than glimpses of a player that warranted the price tag the club paid.

"I thought we could get the best out of him, could develop him.

“We had a role for him and he was doing great.

“Unfortunately, it's a serious hamstring injury that will see him on the sidelines for 12 weeks.

"He will see a specialist who is a world leader, so he will get the best advice, he's in the best hands.

“We always try and review these things and he had the visa issue which meant he missed the hardest training week in Spain.

"He had showed very high physical levels in all the (pre-season) games.

“Unfortunately he has broken down against Bristol City and it's not a minor one."

Baidoo cost the club in excess of £1 million, but has yet to make much of an impact at Home Park after arriving in January 2025.

The 27-year-old failed to score in 11 appearances in the Championship, with the team suffering relegation to League One under Miron Muslic.

Their relegation led to Baidoo going out on loan to Qatar last summer, but he was integrated back into the team during pre-season prior to this injury setback.

It means that it could be November before he next makes an appearance for the Devon outfit.

How Plymouth Argyle fans feel about Michael Baidoo’s injury

Plymouth fans are disappointed to lose Baidoo for such a significant amount of time after his pre-season showings.

Supporters are especially frustrated given he is one of the better paid players in the squad, and will now be on the sidelines for 12 weeks.

Fans have also expressed their concerns regarding the number of injury issues that are building up at the club.

Meanwhile, the Pilgrims have been warned that this increases the need for money to be spent in the transfer market soon, particularly with Lorent Tolaj’s exit.

Plymouth will return to league action on 15 August with a home clash against Stockport County.

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Michael Baidoo injury is a major concern for Plymouth

Plymouth needed to bolster their attacking options before Baidoo’s injury, but this only emphasises the importance of securing a couple more additions before the market closes.

Losing Tolaj is a big blow, but at least it led to a significant fee coming in, whereas the 27-year-old’s injury has left the club with nothing for the next 12 weeks.

Plymouth’s incoming activity this summer has been focused more at the back, but they must now scour the market for forward improvements before the 1 September deadline.

The likes of Wes Harding, Murphy Cooper, Harvey White and Alex Hartridge could all prove smart signings, but if the team can’t score goals consistently then they won’t be able to compete for promotion next season.