HE WAS back at Ewood Park last weekend and met up with Tony Mowbray in his native north east earlier this month, so Harry Chapman remains a big part of the Rovers set-up despite his long-term hamstring injury which leaves any future involvement this season in the balance.

Chapman travelled to Dublin with the first-team squad for their Christmas celebrations having watched the 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic at Ewood Park.

Mowbray revealed the 20-year-old has just began his rehabilitation after surgery in Finland last month on a hamstring tear sustained in the 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic on October 28.

He made a big impression during his time in East Lancashire and although he is unsure what participation he could play before the season is out, Mowbray was happy to see Chapman in good spirits.

The Middlesbrough loanee is expected to continue his comeback with his parent club before any decision is taken on whether he will return to East Lancashire to resume his loan spell at Ewood.

“He’s good – I actually had a meeting in the north east with him the week before he went off with the lads and had a weekend away to celebrate Christmas with the team,” Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“He’s okay, in good fettle, just started his rehabilitation. He’s a nice lad is Harry Chapman.

“No-one knows how long it’s going to be, how long it’s going to take and if we get to a scenario where he can play football again this season then that option will be open for him.”

Chapman made a mark during the early part of the season, having a hand in five goals as well as scoring in the win over Rotherham United on September 26.

He joined on a season-long loan deal in August and featured in 16 Rovers games before picking up his injury at the DW Stadium.

With League One promotions under his belt in each of the last two seasons, following loan spells at Sheffield United and Barnsley, Chapman will be keen to get back fit as soon possible in a bid to keep alive his hopes of a hat-trick of medals.

But keen for the winger’s welfare to come first, Mowbray added: “As I’ve said, there’s no rush, let’s get him right, he’s only a young boy and you don’t want to be rushing a hamstring injury.

“My first thoughts are for Harry and to make sure he’s 100 per cent before he thinks about trying to get his boots back on.”