Plymouth Argyle have defensive problems ahead of the visit of Bristol City to Home Park tonight.

Burnley loanee Richard Eckersley, who has been playing at left-back for the Pilgrims, suffered a groin injury and had to be substituted early in the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Coventry.

And Icelandic centre half Kari Arnason, who scored Plymouth's goal on the brink of halftime at the Ricoh Arena, is a doubt with a calf injury.

Argyle boss Paul Mariner had hoped to have Zimbabwe international left-back Onismor Bhasera available to make his debut. But despite having a work permit and international clearance, he still needs a visa and so will not feature.

The Pilgrims are still hoping to sign Bondz N'Gala on loan from West Ham but the centre half's move has been held up by reasons not yet explained.

The good news for Plymouth is that France-born Benin international centre half Reda Johnson should be back after a groin injury.

Ex-Cardiff City centre back Chris Barker could move to left-back to replace Eckersley with Johnson returning at the heart of the back four.

Arnason is a particularly tough individual and is expected to be fit to feature in a game that relegation-threatened Argyle probably have to win.

David Stockdale, on loan from Fulham, is in goal, keeping out Frenchman Romain Larrieu, with Karl Duguid at right-back.

Yala Bolasie, a Congo-born left winger, Wales' Carl Fletcher, former Brimingham City utility player Damien Johnson and Scotsman Chris Clark made up the midfield.

Top scorer Jamie Mackie, formerly of Exeter City, and Bradley Wright-Phillips were up front while Mariner's other options are New Zealand World Cup striker Rory Fallon and the diminutive Alan Judge.

Former Southport wide man Craig Noone, who has had ankle trouble, should also be fit for the clash against City and could be among the substitutes.