After all the frustration over the Crewe Alexandra signing, a return could be in sight early next month.
Tom Lowery has been set a target date for Pompey’s return as he steps up his injury fightback.
Blues boss John Mousinho has lauded the midfielder’s potential impact on his ranks as he aims to put his fitness woes to bed.
Lowery has boosted the Blues with a return to training as he links up with his teammates outside at their Hilsea base.
It means a return to first-team football could be in sight for the 25-year-old after 17 weeks on the sidelines, following knee surgery after damaging his meniscus against Bristol Rovers.
And Mousinho believes the Bristol Street Motors Trophy second round tie, due to be played the week commencing December 4, could see Lowery back in action.
He said, ‘It’s really good news given Tom’s been out since the first game of the season and had knee surgery.
‘I think so. (The Bristol Street Motors Trophy second round is his target.)
‘He’s not in full training yet; he’s dipping in and out of sessions. He probably did about 75 percent of the last two sessions and will get fully involved on Friday, because that’s a lot lighter.
‘Next week we’ll take a look at that, too, because we don’t have a huge amount to do with the two away games. That always means less mid-week training.
‘So after that, we’ll try to build him into that EFL Trophy game, especially as we have a home game. That will be the perfect opportunity for him to get some minutes.’
Lowery’s time at Pompey has been hindered by issues after he played an important role in their impressive start to last term under Danny Cowley.
He returned in March after one appearance in the approaching six months, but then finished the season strongly under Mousinho before the opening-day setback against Bristol Rovers.
Mousinho isn’t underestimating the impact Lowery could have on Pompey this term.
He added, ‘He’s an excellent player, and we know everything we need to know about Tom.
‘Everyone could see the influence he made at the start of last season and how much he was missed when he was out.
‘He came back into the fold at the close of last season and performed admirably. He missed relatively few games after I took over and was selected for the season opener.
‘Unfortunately, he picked up that knee injury against Bristol Rovers, so we’re really glad to have him back at this stage, and he feels like a new signing,’ explains the manager.
Leave a Reply