Fleetwood Town close in on a clean bill of health ahead of Plymouth Argyle's visit

Although not everyone is currently available for selection, all of Joey Barton’s players are currently in training.

Joel Coleman and Sam Stubbs have longer-term injuries but the former is ahead of schedule and both are now stepping up their work as they near returns.

Barton also has the opportunity to make five substitutions this weekend after the EFL announced a change of the rules earlier this week.

“Everybody is in contention,” Barton said.

“Mark Duffy missed out last week but he’s back fit. He’s been training the last couple of days, so he’s back into the fold.

“Tom Edwards came off in the game with a dead leg that seized up at half-time. He’s trained all week fine, Sam Finley was the same and he’s trained.

“It’s a full complement really, we’ve got the two lads returning from the concussion protocols.

“Ched Evans was on the bench last week. Harvey Saunders has taken a little longer but he played against Rochdale in midweek.”

Argyle head to Highbury on the back of promotion from League Two and have started the season well.

They are level on points with Town, just outside the play-off places, and Barton was full of praise for Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe.

He said: “Lowey’s built a good side, I think they’ve done a really good job.

“He’s done a good job at Bury getting them promoted, and then went to Plymouth and got them promoted at the first attempt.

“They come into this division riding a bit of a crest of a wave. I saw them against Portsmouth the other night.

“They’re no mugs, well-coached, well-organised, well-drilled.

“If we’re not on the ball and bang at it, they’ll fancy their chances.

“They’re level points with us, with a game in hand. It’s a bit skewed because I think they’ve played seven home games and four away.

“As any side coming into a new division, your home form has got to be rock solid in order for you to do well and have a good season – and they’ve managed that.

“They’re probably waiting for their away record to improve but they’re coming to a difficult place for any team in our division.

“Saturday is our opportunity after a couple of away games in the cups and Bristol Rovers in the league to get back to business.”

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