Damion Lowe - File

Injury derailed Damion Lowe's dream start to professional football, but the Jamaica youth international vows to get his first Major League Soccer (MLS) season back on track and finish strong.

The 21-year-old defender, selected eighth in January's MLS SuperDraft by Seattle Sounders, expected playing time as a rookie in North America's premier league. But an April surgery, to repair a torn muscle near his hip/back, wrecked Lowe's hopes.

However, he returned to first- team training on July 31. Lowe's still barred from contact drills, but plans to be ready soon.

"By mid-August I should be game fit," Lowe said Friday. "I had been practising on my own, with the trainers on the side, for about a month."

Agent Damani Ralph said Lowe is "fully fit now. He's back to 100 percent. No issues there."

"The doctor said I'm clear," confirmed Lowe, formerly of Camperdown High, Harbour View and University of Hartford.

no setbacks

Pre-injury pace and mobility are back. Lowe jumps without discomfort.

"The surgery was successful and there were no setbacks," he said. "I haven't lost any range of motion or speed."

However, months of inaction were especially disappointing, Lowe explained, because he had begun adapting to pro football when he was injured in training.

"I was catching form," he said. "I was playing well, but I got hurt. At that time I saw where I could have gotten playing time. There were injuries (in Seattle's defence)."

Lowe said he's received full support from Seattle throughout rehabilitation, making gruelling rehab bearable. Teammates offer constant encouragement.

"All the players motivate me," said Lowe.

He plans to reward their confidence.

"Regardless of whether you are a rookie, they expect you to perform at the highest level," Lowe said. "You can see they have trust in everyone."

Lowe, André Blake and André Lewis made history - the first time three Jamaicans were among top 10 SuperDraft selections. But 2014 hasn't always been kind to the heralded rookies. None has played in the MLS. Blake is on Philadelphia Union's bench. Lewis, sent on loan to a lower-league club by Vancouver Whitecaps, suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Lowe aims to reverse the trend.

"Being drafted number one, number two, number eight, it has a meaning and no meaning," he explained.

"You still have to contribute. You have no control over injuries, but you just have to recover and come back stronger."