Lobban eyes podium place

Scot uses his lengthy injury absence to do homework on rivals

Scotland’s number two squash player Greg Lobban is targeting a medal in his first competitive outing for six months.

Lobban, from North Kessock, suffered a hamstring injury in the final of the Chicago Open last October which has ruled him out of action.

He makes his comeback this week when he dons the Scotland jersey at the European team championships in Helsinki which take place from tomorrow to Friday, and is aiming for a podium finish alongside team-mates Alan Clyne, Kevin Moran, Stuart George, Rory Stewart and Dougie Kempsell.

Lobban was part of the Scotland team which claimed a bronze medal at last year’s European team championships.

He said: “The minimum target should be the semifinals again this year, which we have achieved for the past four years.

“England and France have dominated not just European but world squash recently and will be tough to overcome, but the semi-finals and another bronze medal is something we can aim for.”

The 24-year-old added: “I can’t wait to get out on court. I’m going to be physically fit but whether it will be smart for me to play all the matches, I’m not sure.

“We’ll need to see how I go in practice but I want to give as much as I can for the team.”

While admitting to some dark days during his spell on the sidelines, Lobban has tried to put the offcourt time to good use.

He said: “It has been a really tough six months and obviously I lost my daily routine.

“But I tried to use the time off as a positive. I have been watching a lot more squash, seeing the guys I compete against and compiling a little database of how they play and how I want to play them when we next compete.

“I don’t want to change too much technically in the midst of tournaments but being back on the practice courts means I’ve worked on a few things with my coaches, Martin Heath and Paul Bell.

“I can’t wait to get back to tournament action. After the Europeans I plan on playing at the Tring Open in Hertfordshire then heading to New Zealand to compete in smaller events.

“My protected world ranking of 34 can be used in four tournaments in the next few months which will also allow me to compete in some bigger events.”

“Compiling a little database of how they play and how I want to play them”

RARING TO GO: Greg Lobban will return to the Scotland fold in Helsinki this week after a hamstring injury