Lowry is ahead of schedule

Lowry is back in light training again following his knee operation and it looks like he could be back in action again before the end of January. Kearney though was quick to point out that no risks will be taken with the midfielder’s return.

“Stevie is kicking on really well,” said Kearney. “He is ahead of schedule but again it is one which we have to wrap in cotton wool.

“One thing is certain we will not be risking him before he is 100% ready. We have a plan there which we will be following to the letter. It would be nonsensical for us to rush him back into action before he was ready.

“At the minute it’s looking like he will possibly be back in action again towards the middle or end of January. It will all depend on how he reacts to being back in full training.

“A lot of it ill be dictated by Stevie and how he feels, but we have to be wise on his behalf.

“When you look at the players we have on the sidelines at the minute, the likes of Howard Beverland, Stevie Lowry and David McDaid, they would have made a big difference to us if they had been available on Boxing Day.

“That’s the thing I can hold on to, I know once we have these guys available it will make a big difference to us.”