Tolaj’s red card is a massive blow to the struggling Pilgrims – the Swiss striker has been a rare bright spot in a difficult season.

Argyle have scored just four goals in their past nine games and the 24-year-old has scored all of them.

It means the £1m-plus signing from Port Vale in the summer will be banned for the League One games against Bradford City, Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United as his ban is not enforceable in Tuesday EFL Trophy game with Leyton Orient.

It leaves the Pilgrims with inexperienced duo Bim Pepple and Owen Oseni as their only recognised strikers

“You want your players to be on the edge, to be on the competitive edge, but that can’t boil over,” added Cleverley.

“They’ve probably seen in recent weeks you can get under his skin.

“They’re not the first team to do it and the best thing he can do from this now is learn from it, apologise to his team-mates and it never happen again in his career.”