Plymouth Argyle head for Ashton Gate amid uncertainty over the future of manager Paul Sturrock at the club.

Speculation is rife that the Scot could be set for a new role following the return to Home Park of former Pilgrims legend Paul Mariner as head coach.

Mariner, 56, quit as assistant coach of American Major League Soccer side New England Revolution at the weekend and will be at Ashton Gate tonight.

His return to Plymouth – 36 years after first signing for the Devon club – has increased speculation that Sturrock, whose contract as Argyle manager ends next summer, could be moved 'upstairs' at some point between now and then. The Pilgrims are 23rd in the Championship following a 2-0 defeat away to Ian Holloway's Blackpool on Saturday.

The length of Mariner's contract with Argyle has not been revealed, but according to newspaper reports in the United States, he has tripled his salary by moving from the Revolution to the Home Park club.

The Revolution announced the resignation of Mariner before their 0-0 draw at home to Chicago Fire on Saturday night. That led to Argyle issuing a statement of their own in the early hours of Sunday.

Chairman Sir Roy Gardner said: "On behalf of the Plymouth Argyle board, I am pleased to announce that we hope to confirm soon the appointment of Paul Mariner as head coach, working for the manager, Paul Sturrock.

"Paul Mariner is not only an Argyle legend but has established himself as a highly respected and leading coach in American Major League Soccer and internationally, including in Japan.

"He will bring his own style and a wealth of experience to the club, supporting the development of the football side of the club with Paul Sturrock.

"Paul Sturrock is already charged with working to complete the review of all aspects of the football side of the club, including coaching, training facilities, the scouting system, medical and physiotherapy and youth football. He will now be supported in this work by Paul Mariner."

Sturrock said of Saturday's defeat to Blackpool: "I make no excuse for making an excuse, especially for our first-half performance.

"Having to spend 10-and-a-half hours on a bus on Friday definitely counted against us. It took us four hours to get to Bristol, then we didn't get to Stanley Park until 7pm in the pitch black."

They will have no such excuses if they lose at Ashton Gate tonight.