Plymouth Argyle have been dealt a significant blow after star man Morgan Whittaker was recalled from a loan spell by Swansea City.

The versatile forward, 21, had scored nine goals at Home Park this season and contributed seven assists, winning League One’s player of the month award in September.

Whittaker played as a substitute in the 2-0 win against Wanderers in August and had been due to stay on loan with the Pilgrims until the end of the season but has surprisingly been called back by his parent club just days before they visit the University of Bolton Stadium.

Whittaker voiced his disappointment at the decision on social media but Plymouth’s director of football, Neil Dewsnip, says that it will not “knock them off course” in the promotion chase.

"We are obviously disappointed that Morgan’s loan has been cut short," Dewsnip revealed in a statement on Plymouth's official website. "He was enjoying his football tremendously, and we felt we were providing the best possible environment for him to develop and contribute.

"We did everything we could to retain Morgan for the duration of the loan as initially agreed, but it was not to be. Morgan loved his football here, which is a testament to Steven Schumacher and the club as a whole for our approach to player care, and we hope he can continue to build on the promise he has shown here.

"The recruitment department at the club plans for any eventuality, and we are already well underway with our January operations, as is clear by the additions of Ben Waine and Saxon Earley. Argyle is an exciting club to play for right now, and a brilliant place for talented young players to come and improve, as Morgan has evidenced.

"We are confident that, thanks to the backing of the board, our additions in January will ensure that we are not knocked off course by the disappointing loss of Morgan."

Whittaker posted a comment on social media suggesting he was not entirely happy with Swansea City’s decision to take him back to the Championship.

He wrote: "I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the fans, the players and the staff at @argyle. This club is so special to me and some of my best moments of my career happened here.

"I am devastated that I could not continue here for the whole season, but I hope the pilgrims go and get promotion, because they deserve it. We will be supporting from afar, up the argyle"