Ross County midfielder Don Cowie has stepped up his recovery from a long-term knee injury by returning to full training.
Cowie has been sidelined with the injury for nine months, after undergoing surgery, and has not featured since the Staggies’ Championship title clinching 4-0 win over Queen of the South on April 26 last year.
The 37-year-old, who also coaches the club’s under-18 team, has travelled with County’s development squad on their training camp in Spain where he has progressed his training schedule.
County co-manager Steven Ferguson says the 10-times capped Scotland international will be eased back into action, and he said: “Don has managed to do some sessions over in Spain.
“He was in full training with the development squad at the end of last week for the first time.
“That’s a good sign for Don. Having been out for nine months it’s very early in his recovery, but it’s a step forward for Don.”
County will return to action following their three-week winter break when they make the Scottish Cup fourth round trip to Championship side Ayr United on Saturday.
Along with Cowie, midfielder Ross Draper (knee) and defender Tom Grivosti (foot) also remain sidelined.
Leading scorer Ross Stewart will also face an absence of nearly two months, after suffering a hamstring injury in County’s 1-1 draw against St Johnstone in December.
Ferguson has backed 11-goal forward Stewart to make a strong recovery from the setback, adding: “Ross has got a grade two tear in his hamstring. It’s really disappointing for us, but more so for Ross.
“He has had a fantastic 18 months playing under Stuart Kettlewell and I.
“He has really blossomed as a man and a player and his potential is undoubtedly going to go to the next level.
“What he now needs to do is deal with this injury, because it’s part and parcel of football.
“When you put as much into the game as Ross does – physically and mentally – you are going to come up with injuries at times.
“It’s a standard hamstring tear, so we reckon it will be minimum six weeks before we have him back on the pitch.
“Ross needs to make sure he keeps his head right and doesn’t get too down, because he was enjoying playing in the Premiership – and we were enjoying picking him.
“We will make sure he gets the best of treatment, we will keep his head right and he will be back stronger than before I imagine.”
