Josh Given Time

JOSH Grant was given some time off over the weekend by Argyle manager Ryan Lowe to consider a contract offer to join the Pilgrims on a permanent basis.

Having joined on loan from Chelsea at the start of the season, Josh has performed superbly in a midfield anchor role and as part of the back-three system preferred by Ryan.

The loan has now expired and Argyle would love to sign Josh in a permanent deal but it is obviously a major decision for a player who has spent his entire football life at Chelsea.

“Josh’s loan finished on Thursday and we’ve offered him a contract,” said Ryan. “We have to respect Josh’s decision, he’s happy with everything we’ve done but he’s been at Chelsea since the age of six.

“To come from Chelsea to Plymouth Argyle is something he has to make a decision on and we felt we should give him a bit of time. We respect Josh’s decision and wanted to give him the weekend to think it over.

“We’re confident he’s going to commit his future to us but we have to make sure we give him time because it’s a big decision. He’s been at Chelsea since he was a baby, so we’ve let him go away with his family to make that decision.”

The offer for Josh is not the only business planned for the January transfer window, with Tyreeq Bakinson already signed on loan from Bristol City and the gaffer remains in the market for the possible addition of striking reinforcements.

“We’re not just going to sign anyone for the sake of it and, as I’ve said before, one or two might move on because they’re not getting enough game-time, and one or two loans are up,” said Ryan.

“We’re always in the market for whatever comes our way but it has to be the right one. Sometimes, whether it’s one, two or three [coming in], we’ve got a squad and if someone goes, we have to replace them.

“It’s just spinning plates. Everyone knows we’re in the market for a striker still, you have to be, but we will do our work behind the scenes.”