Tom Cleverley facing mini Home Park crisis - one particular Plymouth Argyle star must rise or risk being left behind | OneFootball

Brendan Galloway must make an impression whilst Plymouth Argyle go through a rough spell of injuries.

Brendan Galloway must prove to Tom Cleverley that he is the man for Plymouth Argyle, as they navigate a small injury crisis, with Kornel Szucs and Julio Pleguezuelo unavailable for selection.

The Zimbabwe international is a popular man at Home Park, having signed for the club in 2021, and going on to be a part of Steven Schumacher's title-winning side in the 2022/23 season.

However, multiple injury setbacks have limited Galloway's game time for the Pilgrims, with 26 league matches being the most he's registered in a single season, which came in 2023/24.

Despite the setbacks, the defender has gained himself somewhat of a warrior reputation, fighting back from serious injuries to get himself back into contention for the Greens, and always being willing to put his body on the line for the badge.

Now, with a small injury crisis in the Argyle backline, Galloway must prove to Cleverley that he can maintain fitness and be a consistent performer, or he runs the risk of becoming a forgotten man at Home Park.

2025/26 is a crucial campaign for Brendan Galloway at Plymouth Argyle

Despite his injury setbacks throughout the years, Galloway is a very popular figure among the Green Army, and is one of the few remaining members of the legendary 2022/23 League One title-winning squad.

Having joined Plymouth in the summer of 2021 on a short-term, after leaving Luton Town with just a handful of appearances under his belt, the 29-year-old would feature heavily for the Greens, before incurring a season-ending injury in October, but he'd made enough appearances to trigger a contract extension.

Upon his return to fitness in the title-winning season, Galloway would be hampered by three separate injuries, which would limit his minutes. He played just 18 times as Argyle lifted the league title, but would remain on board for the forthcoming Championship season.

Fortunately, the Pilgrims' first season back in the Championship would be somewhat better, as he managed 26 league appearances, but was still hampered by fitness issues in late 2023, which saw him miss the start of the campaign.

Then in 2024/25, Galloway had not long returned from a long-term ankle injury before his season would come to an end again with a leg injury, limiting him to just 13 Championship appearances as Plymouth were relegated back to League One.

Having recovered from his leg injury over the summer, Galloway has been back in the fold for Argyle in their League One return, mustering eight appearances in the club's first 11 matches of the season, five of which have been starts.

The amount of minutes the Zimbabwean has received so far is an encouraging sign, especially after recovering from a serious injury, as he enters a crucial year in terms of his Argyle future, with his contract expiring in the summer.

Now, with defensive colleagues Szucs and Plueguezuelo both sidelined with injuries, the time has come for Galloway to prove to Cleverley that he can maintain fitness and performance levels week-in-week-out, and potentially earn himself a new contract.

Brendan Galloway must send key message to Tom Cleverley amid defensive injury crisis

Unfortunately for Cleverley, defensive reinforcements are currently running thin on the ground, as Szucs works his way towards a return from injury, and both Jack MacKenzie and Plueguezuelo are still sidelined from issues they encountered before the start of the season.

This means that Galloway, who wouldn't be seen as a starter, has been called upon by the 36-year-old in recent matches, to deputise for his injured colleagues, and stake his claim for a spot in the starting XI.

Grabbing this opportunity with both hands is crucial for the former Everton youngster, as he needs to prove to his new manager that his fitness struggles are behind him, and he's now a dependable option, who can pull out a top-class performance whenever he's called upon.

Galloway has made a strong impression in his eight league appearances this season, and it's hugely important that he keeps this up. Impressing whilst his colleagues are unavailable could see him retain his spot even when they return, which is exactly what he needs for his career right now.

Not only this, but playing consistently, week-in-week-out, will help the 29-year-old put those injury woes behind him, and keep an optimal level of match fitness, which he's been unable to do in his time at Home Park thus far.

With Galloway's contract coming to an end this summer, his future at Plymouth will likely depend on his minutes this season, and if he stays fit throughout the campaign, he has every chance of getting his current deal extended beyond June 30th 2026.