Time not right to start Al Hajj - Rooney

Image source, Rex Features

Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney says the club's current poor form means it is proving difficult for him to pick attacker Rami Al Hajj.

The 23-year-old former Sweden under-21 player, who joined from Danish side Odense for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal in August, has started just one game in November.

He started five times in the previous two months and got his only goal in the 3-1 win over Luton Town on 27 September, when he opened the scoring after eight minutes.

But with Argyle struggling - they were crushed 6-1 by Norwich City on Tuesday night and sit just two points above the relegation places - Rooney says Al Hajj may have to wait for his chance.

"I think Rami's more of a flair player, and early on in the season when we were playing really good football, I think that has dropped a little bit of late," Rooney said.

"Rami's a player who needs to be in a team that plays football, and at the minute when we're going through this period, I think we need a player in there who has a more natural defensive side to them and a more natural fight in them if you like.

"Players who know the league and know what the demands are of this league, and for Rami it's taking a little bit of time for him to adjust.

"But we'll keep working on that and hopefully get him right to have an effect on us throughout the season."