The Imps are being linked with a late move for Plymouth Argyle defender Saxon Early, as per journalist Pete O’Rourke.
O’Rourke is suggesting we’re close to taking the left-sided defender on loan, which wouldn’t be a huge surprise. We are a little short on the left side, and with uncertainty around Dylan Duffy, it makes sense for us to look at cover.
21-year-old Earley started his career with Norwich City, joining them as a nine-year-old in 2011. He progressed through the youth ranks, enjoying a loan spell with Stevenage in 2022/23. He played 27 times for them as they finished second in League Two, winning promotion.
He only completed the first half of the season with our next opponents, impressive enough to be recalled and sold to Plymouth in January 2023. He then helped the Pilgrims to promotion, appearing nine times as they won League One, scoring twice.
✒️ Saxon Earley has joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.
Go well, Saxon!#pafc
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 1, 2024
Since their promotion, he’s found games hard to come by, and last season, he started just two matches for the Devon club. He spent the second half of the season on loan at Wycombe but didn’t get a game, succumbing to an ankle injury which ruled him out until pre-season.
Earley is very much a left back, rather than a left centre back, although he has turned out at left centre back on occasion, the last time for Plymouth against Shrewsbury in April 2023. He hasn’t played a lot of football in the last 12 months, and if he is coming here, it is clearly to prove a bit of fitness and provide cover in an area where we have a little uncertainty.
On what is looking like a really quiet Deadline Day, this is perhaps as close as we’re going to get to a big bit of news. If it happens, which given that it’s widely being reported by Pete O’Rourke, does feel likely.