'No hesitation' for Wigan Athletic ace about returning

The Latics squad have been back at their Training Centre since the beginning of last week as they ramp up their preparations for ‘Project Restart’.

On Wednesday of this week, they were granted permission by the EFL to resume contact training.

Along with their counterparts up and down the country, they’ll continue to be tested twice-a-week for Covid-19 to ensure things are as safe as possible.

And after 10 weeks of being locked down, Lowe has embraced taking the first tentative steps towards normality.

“There hasn’t really been any hesitancy in returning for me,” he said. “The club have been great so far in explaining all the measures in place, how things will work and the procedures.

“From the first day back, it was easy to see you’re not really at risk with the way training is at the moment.

“We have three or four massive pitches, we’re spread out and you almost have your own set of balls, within the group of four you’re in, with one coach.

“I’m not sure a positive result within our team will be something that makes everyone panic, but I can only speak for myself.

“You have to remember a lot of people have got the virus who had no symptoms and been fine.

“The bigger issue with it is where you take the virus, because you don’t want to harm anyone else and spread to anyone whom it may have serious effects on.”

Latics will resume the campaign two points clear of the drop zone with nine matches remaining.

Having enjoyed a six-game unbeaten record – and four clean sheets on the spin – before lockdown, Latics are hoping to pick up where they left off and secure their Championship status.

“We do want to finish the season, especially with the way we were playing,” acknowledged Lowe.

“Of course we have seen the points per game tables etc. and if it was cancelled, where we would be. It’s good we had that run in the final month before lockdown!

“It’s because of that six-game unbeaten run that, whatever happens, we’re in a position to stay in the league.

“I think we all hoped to have started better than we did but, just before the season was suspended, we really turned a corner and showed our true potential – that’s me and the team.

“We beat some big teams and teams around us, and it looked like the train had finally picked up speed and was on its way.

"I am sure we will be able to pick it back up when we return.”

It’s certainly been an eventful first season in the Championship for Lowe, who has had to win over a section of the Latics fanbase since joining from Portsmouth last summer for £2.5million.

“Sheffield Wednesday (in January) was big,” he added. “I was getting a bit of stick in the first-half, which is just part of the game, and I am old enough and tough enough to take it.

“You can either crumble or keep going, and I have always been one to try and keep going, so to get the winner in the 90th minute, you can’t really get much better .

“In a crazy way that whole game really helped. It gave me a bit of kick to get myself going in the right direction and start showing the confidence and swagger everyone wants to see from me.”