SWINDON Town have been heavily linked with a move for Plymouth Argyle striker Luke Jephcott.

Multiple reports have linked the 22-year-old with a move to the County Ground after Argyle opted to make him available for transfer.

Argyle have said they are open to letting Jephcott leave either in a permanent deal if their valuation of him is met, or via a loan move.

Town are hoping to boost their attacking options after Tomi Adeloye was ruled out for four to six weeks with a thigh tear and Harry McKirdy is expected to complete a move to Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.

Those circumstances have left Scott Lindsey's men with just Jacob Wakeling as a recognised striker as things stand.

Jephcott - whose contract runs out at the end of the season - has only made one start and two substitute appearances so far this term after a switch to 3-4-2-1 left him surplus to requirements more often than not.

In Steven Schumacher's pre-match press conference on Thursday, the Pilgrims boss discussed the Welsh international's future and why it is best for him to leave Home Park for the time being at least.

Schumacher said: "Luke Jephcott is likely to be going out because, as you have seen, he hasn't got on the pitch the last couple of games.

"It's just important that Luke goes out and plays because he's a good player. He's a proven goalscorer. He's just not playing at the moment in our system.

"It's important for him he goes and plays, gets a run of games and scores the goals he can do."

When asked whether it would be on loan, Schumacher said: "He has got a few options.

"At the moment it's only early, there are still 10 hours to go (before the deadline). There are a few options on the table."

When Jephcott has played this season it has been in one of the 'number 10' roles behind the main striker.

Schumacher said: "He's really good at receiving the ball. As you have seen last season he got a fair few assists, but when I have got Finn (Azaz), Danny (Mayor) and Morgan (Whittaker) to choose from I'm likely going to pick them because it's more natural to them.

"Then as the number nine who is going to stretch the pitch and run in behind, Niall (Ennis) and Ryan (Hardie) have been more preferential to pick them."

Schumacher added: "He's a great lad, he trains well, but he's no good sitting on the bench. He's not the best impact player anyway, he needs to be playing.

"He needs chances, and when he gets chances in the box, as we have seen over the years, he can score. He has got to go to a team that is going to play a way that suits him."

Jephcott has scored 37 goals in 118 appearances since making his Plymouth debut in 2018.