Boateng recently returned to action after spending two months on the sidelines due to a knee injury

Malachi Boateng has admitted the knee injury he suffered early in the season was the 'biggest setback' of his career but the Plymouth Argyle midfielder was able to return to action from it quicker than he first thought.

The 24-year-old previously had an excellent fitness record until he was injured in the Pilgrims' second League One game of the season, the 1-1 draw away to Wycombe Wanderers on August 22.

Boateng left Adams Park on crutches and with a brace on his knee, and initially feared he could be facing a very long spell on the sidelines, but subsequent scan results showed the damage was not too severe.

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The midfielder was able to make his playing comeback a couple of months later, first as a late substitute in the 0-0 league draw with Reading at Home Park on October 31.

Boateng then played for an hour of Argyle's 4-0 Emirates FA Cup first round victory over visiting Alvechurch last Saturday before playing as a substitute - and in defence - in the 2-1 Jersey Mike's Trophy win at home to Swindon Town on Tuesday.

Reflecting on his time out injured, Boateng said: "The biggest setback I have probably had in my career so far, but it's one I'm grateful for. It has allowed me to take a step back and look at things, and I'm grateful to be back stronger as well.

"When you are here you want to focus on football, that's the first thing. Not being able to do that and not being able to help the team was difficult.

"The lads were doing well, lads that I have full faith in as well and a gaffer (Tom Cleverley) I have faith in as well. It was difficult but it was good to see the boys were getting some results, I wasn't expecting anything different really."

Boateng was the Argyle Players' Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season after starting all 46 league games but his run of consecutive appearances soon came to an end after the injury in the opening minutes against Wycombe.

"Initially, once you do it you fear the worst and start over-thinking, I feel like it's quite normal to do that, he said.

"I got a bit of support from the lads and the gaffer as well, and they just said 'Wait until the scan comes back' and luckily it was not as bad as we initially thought."

He added: "When I first did it I was expecting it to be something a lot worse but to be back in October in the Reading game was a good one to come back into. The reception was amazing once I came back on as well. It was a good feeling for me."

When Boateng came off the bench to play against Swindon he played he played in a defensive role as Argyle switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation.

It was not a new experience for him, and given the recent spate of injuries at Argyle it is possible he could be called upon to play in central defence again by Cleverley.

Boateng said: "I have had to fill in there a few times, even during academies. It's somewhere I'm fairly familiar with, but obviously where I'm needed to play I'm happy with.

"You saw that last season when I had to fill in at right mid sometimes. It's one of those ones where with a few lads missing as well it could happen, but nothing I'm not really used to."

Boateng began the season playing alongside Harvey White, the summer signing from Stevenage, and there were promising signs they could form a very effective partnership until his knee injury.

"A really good person and a really good player," said Boateng. "Someone that I have enjoyed working with. I have taken a lot from him as well.

"Obviously we are similar ages. Someone that I have played with a few times, and through pre-season as well, and someone who is really talented, understands the game, reads the game well.

"I have got nothing but high praises of him and I know he's someone that we are going to need as well throughout the whole season so really excited to play with him.."