Plymouth Argyle have a nearly totally fit squad for a vital series of games after the youngster’s comeback from a hamstring injury.

Steven Schumacher has welcomed the return to action of Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu after their recent hamstring injuries to give him much-needed attacking options.

Schumacher was left with 22-year-old Ben Waine as the only out-and-out striker in his squad when Hardie and Bundu were ruled out after both had to be substituted in the 3-2 defeat away to Ipswich Town on October 28.

However, Bundu started up front for Argyle against Stoke City on Saturday following two previous appearances off the bench and scored a 43rd-minute equaliser in their come-from-behind 2-1 win.

Hardie made his comeback from injury as a 68th-minute substitute in the same match and will now find it challenging to start the away game at table-topping Leicester City on Saturday.

Schumacher said, “We have missed him. He’s a huge threat. He gives us that speed and running power that a lot of the teams in the championship have, but when we don’t have him, it can affect you.

“I thought he did really well (against Stoke). I’m pleased to have him back. I thought Mustapha did well. It was a great goal that he scored.

“He showed some really good quality touches but was a bit sloppy at times as well in some of his passing, so a mixed bag for him but probably to be expected because it was his first 90 minutes in a long time.”

Bundu has scored twice in two starts and eight substitute appearances since joining Argyle from Belgian club Anderlecht in the final hours of the summer transfer window earlier this season.

Schumacher added: “Ben Waine has played the last few games and led the line well. He has given us everything, as you would expect from Waineo; he’s 100 percent effort all the time, but having more options and different types of players—and people who can come on and change the game—makes a huge difference.

“We need all of our top players available as much as we can. It’s brilliant to have them (Hardie and Bundu) back.”

With defender Brendan Galloway also returning to action recently, the only injured Argyle player at the moment is left-back Saxon Earley, who is recovering from an ankle ligament operation. He could be back early in January.

The Pilgrims have a busy schedule of games leading up to the Christmas and New Year period, including against two of the bottom three clubs, Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United, so having a nearly fully fit squad is important for them.