Sheffield Wednesday's next opponents Plymouth Argyle were frustrated by a new substitution rule in their latest League One outing. The incident occurred during a goalless home draw with Reading at Home Park on Saturday, a result that leaves the Pilgrims fifth in the table ahead of their visit to Hillsborough.
Plymouth manager Ian Foster said the situation was caused by a recently introduced EFL regulation designed to speed up play. The rule states a substituted player must leave the pitch within 10 seconds of the fourth official signalling the change. In the 83rd minute, as Foster sought to replace defender Julio Pleguezuelo with midfielder Mathias Ross, Pleguezuelo took 11 seconds to exit. Referee Stephen Martin therefore delayed Ross's entry until the 85th minute, leaving Argyle with 10 men for a two-minute period which Foster said could have cost his team the game.
Squad updates and injury returns
Foster also provided updates on several players ahead of the upcoming fixtures. Key midfielder Malachi Boateng, the 24-year-old who suffered a knee ligament injury against Wycombe Wanderers in August, made his return from the bench against Reading. Wingers Matty Sorinola and Caleb Watts missed the match with minor issues but are expected to be available for the FA Cup tie against Alvechurch. Forwards Michael Baidoo and Owen Oseni continue their recoveries from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
Plymouth used only three of their five permitted substitutions in the closing stages of the match, which was played in front of their highest home league crowd of the season, 16,316 supporters. Winger Xavier Amaechi retained his place in the starting lineup after impactful performances in the previous two games, including a 3-2 win at Cambridge United.
League context for Sheffield Wednesday
The stalemate means Plymouth arrive at Hillsborough on 14 November sitting fifth, firmly in the play-off places. For Sheffield Wednesday, currently ninth in League One with 20 points from 13 matches, the fixture represents a chance to close the gap on the top six. Danny Röhl's side are looking to build on a recent 1-1 draw with Blackpool, a result that extended their current run to one win, two draws and two losses in their last five games.
Sheffield Wednesday have scored 22 goals this season, with top scorer Jamal Lowe netting five times. Their next match is the key home encounter against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 14 November.
First reported at Plymouth Live
