Lewis itching to get back in Cowley’s side

manager Danny Cowley is desperate to get him back in the fold.

Cowley and the player himself – not to mention the fans – hope that will be against Nottingham Forest at the John Smith’s Stadium this weekend.

“Having collected four points from the two games in the week has been really good, and it would be great to top it off with three points at home” said O’Brien, whose next appearance will be his 16th of the campaign.

“It’s been frustrating to be out of it myself, it’s been hard watching, especially when you travel to the games.

“It’s been painful having to watch, so I am excited to get back.” And when might that be? “I’m feeling good but I am just taking it day by day,” he answered.

“I don’t know when I’m actually back, we haven’t had a time line set – it’s just a matter of day by day but, when I am back I am going to be ready

“I’m itching to go, because it has been a frustrating time to pick up an injury.

“I really didn’t think it was much but when we got back, it turned out to be more than I thought.”

Cowley has also spoken in detail about Alex Pritchard’s injury situation ahead of the Nottingham Forest fixture.

The Town boss has been able to select the classy No10 just twice in starting line-ups since taking charge at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Pritchard, 26, has suffered various injury problems this season, limiting his total appearances to just nine, and it’s a particular frustration for Cowley as his preferred formation (4-2-3-1) is geared to having a mobile, skilful and inventive No10.

Former Norwich City man Pritchard has had an injection in a bid to cure his current problem, and Cowley explained how the player has reacted to the treatment.

“It’s been good, pretty positive,” confirmed Cowley. “Just off the back of the injection, the nature of a cortizone injection is that you have to have a period of rest so that the steroid can crystalize.

“You want it (the effect) to be really localised to make sure it affects the small cyst he has on the back of his knee.

“That’s why we’ve had to reduce his exercise in this period, otherwise you don’t get that localised effect.”

It’s been frustrating to be out of it, it’s been

hard watching