The 6 to 8 players set to miss Plymouth Argyle v Coventry City | OneFootball

There are six to eight players set to be sidelined for the EFL Cup second round tie between Plymouth Argyle and Coventry City.

The second round of the EFL Cup begins this midweek and there is an intriguing tie at Home Park on Tuesday as Plymouth Argyle, of League One, take on Premier League new boys Coventry City.

Plymouth are expected to challenge for the top six and the play-off places in the third-tier this season after an impressive end to last season under the management of Tom Cleverley.

However, after beginning their competitive campaign with a dramatic victory over arch-rivals Exeter City, Plymouth have collected just one point from their opening two games in the league – with a loss to Stockport County and then a draw against Huddersfield Town.

Having won the Championship last season, Coventry’s squad has been enhanced by some big money additions but plenty of familiar faces remain the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues embarked upon perhaps their toughest fixture of the entire season in their top-flight opener at the weekend, probably quite content with ensuring just a 3-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium against champions Arsenal.

As the two sides prepare to face off for the first time since the 2024-25 Championship season, here is a list of the players who will be unavailable to feature.

Plymouth Argyle

Michael Baidoo

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Having impressed in pre-season upon his return to Plymouth, Michael Baidoo suffered a hamstring injury before the season was due to begin and he remains sidelined.

Baidoo had joined Plymouth in January 2025, mid-way through what was a season that finished in relegation, from Elfsborg before spending last season on loan at Umm Salal in Qatar.

Joe Edwards

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It is still up in the air, at the time of writing, as to whether the versatile and experienced Joe Edwards will back involved for Argyle against Coventry in the cup.

Edwards underwent surgery on a knee injury at the start of the summer and has not yet featured this season, nor in pre-season, but Cleverley did suggest he will ‘train on Monday with a view to being involved’ here.

Malachi Boateng

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In their 1-1 draw at Adams Park against Wycombe at the weekend, key midfielder Malachi Boateng was forced off early on and is now set for a significant spell on the sidelines.

A late and heavy challenge has left the 24-year-old with a knee ligament injury and set for a lengthy period of absence from The Pilgrims’ first-team picture.

Owen Oseni

An often useful option in attack, Owen Oseni is another injury issue for the hosts here with a thigh injury sustained against Exeter a couple of weeks ago set to see him out for the rest of August at least.

Capped by Nigeria, Oseni impressed in his debut season at Home Park last year after a surprise move from Scottish outfit Saint Mirren last summer.

Coventry City

Luke Woolfenden

Luke Woolfenden was not involved in Coventry’s squad for their opener against Arsenal and the former Ipswich Town centre-back is set to remain sidelined through injury here.

Woolfenden played 17 times for Coventry last season after making the move from Portman Road but remains an injury issue for Lampard to deal with.

Ephron Mason-Clark

Alongside Jack Rudoni, who was also an injury issue in pre-season, Lampard suggested Ephron Mason-Clark may well be in contention to feature for their Premier League opener against Arsenal.

However, the former Peterborough United winger did not make it into their squad and so it has to be assumed he is again a major doubt for this one down in Devon.

Haji Wright

A confirmed absentee for the visitors is star striker Haji Wright, who has sustained a quad injury that is expected to see him sidelined for around 12 weeks.

The United States international striker has had joy against Plymouth in the past, scoring a controversial winner against Plymouth back in November 2023 as well as scoring in a 3-1 defeat to Argyle in December 2024.