Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock has revealed three of his long-term injury victims are closer to returning to fitness.

More Stories

• Sturrock eyeing staff additions
• Championship table

Chris Barker has yet to feature this season after sustaining an injury in pre-season while Bradley Wright-Phillips and Reda Johnson have been sidelined since September.

Sturrock (pictured) told the club's official website: "Johnson's out for the next two weeks. Bradley is about the same and we're very hopeful Barker's now responding to treatment, though he gets niggles now and again. We'll take him slower but, hopefully, he's not far away."

The trio's return is a rare piece of good news for Argyle, who are currently languishing in the bottom three of the Championship having won just two matches in the league so far this season.

Meanwhile, the reserves were held to a 1-1 draw with Exeter at Home Park, Alan Gow's 47th-minute opener being cancelled out by Ben Watson's header moments later.