PLYMOUTH Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip has stated Luke Jephcott still has a future at Home Park following the striker’s loan move to Swindon Town.

Jephcott arrived at the County Ground on deadline day, and Town revealed the 22-year-old had signed on a season-long loan with the option to make the switch permanent.

But speaking to Plymouth Live, Dewsnip has not ruled out a return for Jephcott in January.

Discussing why the talented forward was sent out in the first place, Dewsnip said: "I think the rising standard of Plymouth Argyle is the biggest factor. Luke is very popular with everybody, but he has struggled to get in the team.

"He might have suffered because Steven has changed the system, that's possible, but ultimately all footballers - not just Luke - need to play games.”

Later moving onto how the switch to Wiltshire came about, the Argyle director said: “We had one or two approaches for Luke. There are some observant people out there who could see he was sat on the bench too much really.

"We had a number of opportunities which we shared with Luke, and he felt Swindon Town was the best option.

“Let's be absolutely clear, though, he is still very much an Argyle player with an Argyle future.

"What he needs to do is go and play games. I really hope he plays lots and scores lots of goals for Swindon."

Jephcott was brought on during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Gillingham and missed a very good chance to win the game for Town late on.

But the expectation is that the 22-year-old will fill the net plenty of times before his future is even considered in January.

On the recall clause as part of the loan deal, Dewsnip said: "He can still come back in January if Steven (Schumacher) decides that's what he wants to do.

"There are lots of people who have gone out on loan, done really well, come back and then taken off. Let's hope Luke is another one of those stories.

"It is an opportunity, very much, for him to play minutes, score goals and come back more confident because goal-scorers live and die by their ability to score and increase their confidence. That's what we are hoping will happen to Luke at Swindon."

Swindon stated when Jephcott was signed that they held the option of turning the loan into a permanent transfer, but Dewsnip said: "It's not a discussion at this moment in time."

Jephcott is likely to make his home debut for 14th-placed Town in their League Two game against Newport County this Saturday.