Lewis Warrington issues Plymouth Argyle farewell after loan recall

The midfielder recently returned to his parent club Everton for treatment for an ankle injury and will not be coming back to Home Park

Midfielder Lewis Warrington has wished everyone at Plymouth Argyle 'nothing but success' after the early end to his loan spell from Everton.

The 21-year-old suffered an ankle injury in training with the Pilgrims last month which will keep him out of action beyond the end of the January transfer window. So the decision has now been taken by both clubs that he will not be come back to Home Park when he is fit again.

There were high hopes for Warrington when he joined Argyle from Everton in late July after he had played 38 times for Fleetwood Town in League One last term.

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However, Warrington went on to make just three starts for the Pilgrims - two of those were in Carabao Cup home ties against Leyton Orient and Crystal Palace - plus one substitute appearance.

Strong competition for places in central midfield, and the form of Jordan Houghton in particular, limited the involvement of Warrington, and he often did not even make the matchday squad.

In a reply to Argyle's post on their official X (formerly Twitter) account about his loan recall, Warrington said: "A good club filled with even better people. Despite not getting the chance to prove myself on the field, I have learnt valuable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my career.

"Wishing everyone at the club nothing but success. Now time to focus on getting myself right and ending the season strong."

Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip said: "Lewis unfortunately suffered an injury in training that will rule him out beyond the end of the transfer window and both clubs felt it was right for him to return to Everton and focus on his recovery and then look for further playing time."

Warrington became the fifth player to leave Argyle already this month, and the fourth loan signing to do so after the departures of Finn Azaz, Luke Cundle and Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

Azaz was sold by Aston Villa sold to Middlesbrough in a £2.5 million transfer while Wolverhampton Wanderers recalled Cundle and then loaned him to Steven Schumacher's Stoke City until the end of the season.

Then, on Saturday night, Dewsnip received a phone call from Villa's head of emerging talent and loans Adam Henshall to inform him they were activating a recall option in Kesler-Hayden's deal.

Dewsnip was told 21-year-old Kesler-Hayden would be involved with a depleted Villa first team squad. They were only able to name eight substitutes for their 0-0 Premier League draw away to Everton yesterday.

In addition to the four loan recalls, Argyle defender Macaulay Gillesphey has joined League One outfit Charlton Athletic on Friday for an undisclosed fee.

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