Portsmouth boss reveals latest injury picture over ex-Norwich City, Wigan Athletic and Crewe men as players return for Wycombe

Danny Cowley has reported positive injury news over Michael Jacobs, Tom Lowery and Louis Thompson as they step up their training.

And Cowley admitted he lifted by having the energy of Dane Scarlett and Owen Dale to call upon at Adams Park on Sunday, after being unavailable for the FA Cup win over MK Dons.

Thompson has been out since August with a broken leg while January has been sidelined for six weeks (hamstring) and Lowery has been hindered by a troublesome issue.

Cowley painted a positive picture as Pompey attack a run of league games in the build-up to the Christmas period.

He said: ‘Our injured players aren’t too far away now, which is super exciting.

‘Michael’s trained and we’ll have a decision to make on him going into the weekend.

‘Louis is back on the grass and Tom Lowery the same. We’re getting closer.

‘We have a busy Christmas schedule, so to have those players coming back will benefit everyone.

‘It will be fresh energy. Competition for places drives the standards.

‘The group that have played game-in, game-out for a long period now are going to benefit from the support of the ones coming back.

‘We’re certainly moving in the right direction.’

Cowley was concerned by not having two of most intense ball pressers available last weekend, against a side who like to dominate possession like MK Dons.

That won’t be the case for Sunday’s Sky-televised clash against Wycombe, however, to the Pompey boss’ pleasure.

He added: ‘I thought the group did well against a possession-base side without Owen and Dane Scarlett.

‘Those two games back-to-back games tested us without that availability.

‘So it will be great to welcome one or two back.’