CORRY Evans may have to overcome some psychological barriers, as well as physical, before he is ready to be considered for a first team return, according to manager Tony Mowbray.

The midfielder suffered a horror facial injury in January after being caught by a high boot in the derby with Preston North End, in what was his 200th appearance for the club.

The Northern Ireland international needed surgery to repair frontal lobe and eyes socket fractures. The operation included having a metal plate inserted into his skull, as well as plates under his eyes and a nose reconstruction.

Mowbray said the surgery had initially left Evans’ appearance distorted, but almost seven weeks on he is beginning to look more recognisable.

However, the Rovers boss maintains that the 29-year-old will be given all the time he needs in his recovery and will not be rushed back.

“I haven’t put any timescales on Corry,” said Mowbray.

“With seven weeks left of the season I wouldn’t suggest it would be this season.

“He’s not on the grass and he’s just started recovering the recognition of Corry, I would suggest.

“His eyes aren’t as swollen, the tightness of his forehead where the plate was put in is just sort of settling down and now he’s looking more like Corry Evans, whereas he looked quite different a few weeks ago.

“We just need to leave Corry a little bit at the moment. When he’s ready, when he starts to think he can get his boots on and jog around on the pitch and get himself going, I’ll leave that to him and the medical department.”

But with such a serious and complex injury, Mowbray is mindful that it is not just physical fitness that they may have to work on with Evans.

Asked if there would be psychological elements involved as well, he said: “I would imagine so but maybe the pre-season is the time for that to happen.

“Maybe through the summer he can head some foam balls or something.

“It’s very difficult to think he’s going to get his boots on and come straight back and start heading balls in training.

“Psychologically you have to overcome that and I think you break that down in little sections bit by bit.

“I would imagine the first test is going to be a very light foam ball or balloon or something like that just to get you used to contact with your head again.

“But hopefully that progresses pretty quickly and he gets through those phases and it won’t be long before he’s out on the training ground and he’s doing everything expected of him.”