Hazard’s Return a Major Boost as Plymouth Thrash Burton

Plymouth Argyle manager Tom Cleverley hailed the comeback of goalkeeper Conor Hazard as a “huge plus” after his side’s emphatic 4-0 win at Burton Albion.

The Northern Ireland international, 27, had been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury while on international duty against Denmark in June. His absence saw summer signing Luca Ashby-Hammond start Argyle’s opening 12 fixtures.

Cleverley faced a selection dilemma but opted to restore Hazard to the line-up, a decision that was rewarded as the former Celtic keeper marked his return with a clean sheet in what was Plymouth’s biggest league victory of the season.

“The last league game we looked short of leadership on the pitch, and he provides that,” Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon. “It was always going to be a physical contest here, and when you’re six foot six it makes a difference. This was the right game for Conor to come back in. I thought he was excellent and gave us what we had been missing.”

Cleverley also praised Ashby-Hammond, adding: “Luca will keep pushing him to the level he needs to hold onto the shirt. But it’s a huge plus for us to have Conor back – and to mark it with a clean sheet.”