Lester wants youngster to fight his way back into the team

The young attacker missed the start of the season after breaking his collarbone in Portugal during a pre-season friendly.

Having returned to fitness at the outset of Lester’s tenure as Town boss, Rowley played a lot of football, holding down a starting place as a makeshift winger.

But since the defeat at Carlisle a month ago, Rowley has made just two cameo appearances from the bench.

Lester previously said the 18-year-old needed a break because the coaching staff he had perhaps ‘run out of steam.’

When asked on Friday if Rowley had shown in training that he was refreshed and ready to challenge for a starting place again, Lester said he had seen ‘bits’ from the youngster.

“He needs to fight,” said the manager.

“Wonderfully talented player.

“You look back to your own path when you were younger and you’re not always assertive about saying you should be playing, because you’re young and have to get ahead of other players to get in the team.

“He needs to back himself and force his way in.”

Lester reiterated that Rowley is very much in the longterm thinking at the Proact, adding: “He’s got a bright future here.”