Lenihan missed the whole of last season after suffering a combination of ankle and Achilles injuries, with his last competitive appearance having come back in September 2023.
The defender has played a full part in pre-season so far this summer, though, travelling to Portugal with the rest of Boro’s first-team squad earlier this month and playing in the first half of last weekend’s friendly draw with Mansfield Town.
The 31-year-old’s return to fitness is a major boost, even if Edwards admits he will have to tread carefully with the former Irish international. Given he only played three days ago, it remains to be seen whether or not Lenihan is involved in this evening’s friendly with Bradford City at Valley Parade.
“I’m delighted with Darragh,” said Edwards. “The plan was always to give him just 45 minutes [on Saturday] and I thought he was really, really good. He’s getting there.
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“Obviously, we have to keep building up his minutes now. He’s still in a position where we’re still looking at everything he’s doing and trying to manage that. But he wants to do everything.
“It’s important we make some good decisions to keep him out there. It’ll be a huge plus for us having a fit Darragh Lenihan. I think he showed that in the first half [at Mansfield].”
Alex Bangura is another player who was forced to sit out the whole of last season, having suffered an ACL injury during pre-season last summer.
The full-back is behind Lenihan in terms of his comeback schedule, but was also able to make an appearance at Mansfield at the weekend.
“Bangsy came on for half-an-hour,” added Edwards. “He’d not played in 442 days. So big congratulations to him. That’s a big day for him.
“He’s come through a tough period. We’ll see what’s ahead for him. What I don’t want to do is put too much pressure on him right now.
“He’s a wonderful lad and has worked so hard to get back after being out for such a long time. Getting 30 minutes [on Saturday] was a big plus for him.
“But what I don’t want to do is heap too much pressure on him right now. It will be a big year for him, of course it will, but it’s one baby step at a time for him.”