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Wayne Rooney says Plymouth Argyle are close to signing a free-agent goalkeeper as cover for the injured Conor Hazard.

The Northern Ireland international has been ruled out until December after undergoing surgery to repair ankle ligaments he damaged in the loss to Stoke City last month.

New signing Dan Grimshaw is the only experienced goalkeeper on Argyle's books, but his only appearance for the club this season was in their Carabao Cup loss to Watford.

"We're hoping to have someone in for Saturday," Argyle boss Rooney told Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Devon ahead of the home game with Championship leaders Sunderland.

"We're working on that and we've got until 12 o'clock tomorrow to get a keeper registered.

"We're quite close on that, but obviously not over the line yet, but we're hoping to have someone."

Hazard's injury came as a blow for the former Celtic goalkeeper, who had been first choice at Argyle this season after Michael Cooper's move to Sheffield United.

"I think he felt like he was finally getting his chance and I thought he was playing well," Rooney said.

"The timing for Conor is unfortunate, but that's football, you can pick up injuries, and Grimmy's got a chance now to come into the team and get a run of games, so he has to make sure he's ready.

"We brought him here for him and Conor to compete against each other to see who was number one.

"Grimmy's got an opportunity now to come into the team - it's on him to take it.

"I've no issues whatsoever, we signed him because he's good enough."