Korey eyeing Rovers return

KOREY SMITH: sorely missed.

HAVING to watch not play has increased a refreshed Korey Smith’s hunger to get back involved with Athletic again, says his manager Lee Johnson.

Johnson is set to call on his captain for the clash with Tranmere tomorrow after his quick recovery from a potentially long-term injury.

A scan showed no lasting damage to Smith’s swollen knee and he has recently been keeping up his fitness with physio Jon Guy.

Athletic have missed his spark and energy in his three missed games. But Johnson says the ex-Norwich player will have benefited from his time on the sideline.

“Korey has had an unbelievable number of games - 40 - this season,” Johnson said. “And he has been to every game to watch, which is important for the captain. But he is keen to get back out there on the grass.”

Johnson is wary of what he regards as Tranmere’s curren ability to present a robust line-up.

Ryan Lowe, who has scored 17 times this season, will be out to add to the penalty he scored at Boundary Park to hand Rovers a smash-and-grab victory in August.

“It’s a tough game for us,” Johnson said. “They are at their strongest right now.”