Stockport County: Louie Barry news might impact Mansfield and Wrexham title challenge: View | OneFootball

The hint at progress with Louie Barry's injury situation from Stockport County manager Dave Challinor may be a cause for concern for fellow League Two title contenders Mansfield Town and Wrexham.

The 20-year-old has been on loan from Premier League side Aston Villa since the beginning of this season but has had a significant spell away from action due to injury.

During the Hatters' 2-0 away win against Crewe Alexandra at the end of October, the forward pulled up and had to be withdrawn from the field just 25 minutes into the game.

It was later confirmed to be a hamstring issue, from which the former Barcelona academy prospect is yet to return, but a recent reveal from Challinor suggests he may be in contention to turn out for County again before the season ends.

Barry back in a boosted Stockport camp

Following County's impressive 5-0 win over MK Dons last weekend, Challinor gave an update on players potentially returning from injury in the coming days.

Speaking to club media, the manager said: “We should have Louie Barry back in the building with us, certainly not to play, but back in the building with us this week, which will be a big boost."

Although stopping short of putting a date on a return to competitive action, with Barry having been completing his treatment with parent club Villa, it feels like a significant step for the forward to be returning to County's Carrington training base and suggests things could be building towards a return for the final few games of the season.

The good news continued as Challinor also confirmed that Kyle Knoyle, who has been out since New Year's Day with a serious head injury, is also getting closer to a return date and Antoni Sarcevic, who has been out for a much shorter time, should be back in action imminently.

Challinor knows how vital these returnees could be to the final outcome of the season.

In his post-match interview after the MK Dons game, he continued: “So, them players coming back is at a good time for us. Our aim, regardless of where we’re at, will be to try and have as many fit for that April group of seven fixtures, which, again, is ultimately going to be season-defining for us.”

It remains to be seen just how many games those returning players, especially Barry and Knoyle, will be available for, but even one game could be enough to make a difference.

Barry offers a different outlet, but expectations must be tempered

Little needs to be said about the quality that the Villa youth product offers County's team. With 11 goal contributions in 15 league games for the Hatters, his importance speaks for itself.

Stockport have incredible talent across the field, but one area they are light on is players that can carry the ball forward, beat a man and create chances on their own from nothing.

Rico Richards has in recent weeks shown that he may be capable of carrying out this role, but he has still only been seen in flashes, whereas Barry has shown his dribbling qualities consistently over a sustained period of games.

However, if Barry does get significant minutes back in a blue and white shirt, he must be given patience, and the expectation of promotion must not fall solely on his shoulders.

Returning from a serious hamstring injury, as he is, it will take him time to get back up to match speed and as County rapidly tick off the games until the season finale, there are fewer and fewer games to build that speed back up.

It will also take time for Barry to build up the same fearlessness that he possessed before his injury, as the body naturally acts to try and protect itself.

He is an incredible talent, and is more than capable of making a quick return with meaningful contributions, but stepping over the finish line and achieving promotion for County this season will rely on more than just his return.

Mansfield and Wrexham will have eyes on Barry developments

That being said, placing limitations and mitigating factors on a talent like Barry would be unwise from an opposition point of view.

Barry is the type of player who can create a moment of magic from nowhere, even in games that he has struggled to impact up until that point.

While those at Edgeley Park must temper their expectations of a player who has spent a significant time out with injury, teams likely to face Barry, and clubs near County in the table, will all fear news of his comeback.

With just a handful of points separating the top four teams, and only three automatic places up for grabs, there is likely to be some tense encounters for County over the next month.