Ryan Dickson rooting for Plymouth Argyle in their fight against relegation
FORMER Argyle left-back Ryan Dickson could have been playing against them for Bradford at Home Park tonight.
However, an ankle injury cut short his loan spell with the Capital One Cup finalists from Southampton and he is now recovering after an operation last Monday.
At first, it was thought Dickson – who was born in the old Freedom Fields Hospital in Plymouth – would be out of action for around six months.
However, the surgery to tighten up his ankle ligaments was a success and the 26-year-old hopes to be fully fit for the start of pre-season in July.
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That will be an important time for Dickson because his contract at Premier League club Southampton ends this summer so he will be trying to find a new deal elsewhere.
Dickson has not played for Southampton since September 2011, which has led to him having loan spells at Yeovil Town and Leyton Orient last season, and Bradford this term.
He signed for the Bantams three days after they won 3-1 at home to Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg in January.
Dickson was snapped up by Bradford to play at left-back because James Meredith was ruled out by glandular fever.
However, by his own admission, Dickson did not do himself – or City – justice with his performances as an ankle injury which he first picked up in September started to hamper him.
Dickson made four starts and two substitute appearances for City, scoring one of the goals in a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood Town on February 2.
However, two days after Bradford lost 5-0 to Swansea City in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley, it was announced his season was over because he would be having an operation.
It was carried out by a top surgeon at a west London private hospital and all the indications are that it went well.
Dickson started out with Argyle at the age of nine and made his first-team debut when he was 17-years-old, in a 2-1 Championship defeat by Wigan Athletic at Home Park in October 2004.
However, he did not get the chance to fulfil his promise with the Pilgrims because of a long-term back injury.
Dickson played seven times for his hometown club before moving to Brentford in January 2008 and his form for them led to his move to Southampton in the summer of 2010.
He has followed Argyle's fortunes from afar, since leaving Home Park, and has been saddened to see them struggle so much.
Dickson told Herald Sport: "Since I have left Argyle, one of the first results I look out for is theirs.
"The club have played a big part in my life and it's something I'm very grateful for. It's not nice to see them losing.
"I definitely don't want to see them go out of the Football League. That would hurt a lot of people."
Argyle are currently bottom of the table in League Two while 11th-placed Bradford still have a shot at making the play-offs.
So there is a lot at stake for both teams when they meet at Home Park.
Dickson said: "Bradford's league form for the squad they have got and the budget they have got isn't great. I think it's a game Plymouth can win if they take a positive approach to it.
"What Bradford did in reaching the final at Wembley was an outstanding achievement. It was a dream day out for the fans and, financially, it's going to set the club up for years to come."
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