Gary Lewin is set to return to Arsenal’s medical set-up after leaving his role as England’s first team physiotherapist in May.

In his first stint at the club, which stretched back nearly 30 years, Lewin oversaw more than 1,200 matches as the Gunners head physio.

The 52-year-old, who worked under George Graham, Bruce Rioch and Arsene Wenger, was integral to the development of the club’s medical department and the first iteration of the club’s state-of-the-art facilities at London Colney.

It’s expected that Gary will assume a role with close ties to his cousin, Colin, who replaced him as the head physio in 2008 and continues to be Head of Medical Services. Arsenal’s medical team now encompasses doctors, physios, conditioning coaches, fitness coaches, masseurs, soft tissue therapists and nutritionists – a far cry from the single magic sponge that Gary had for company in the mid-eighties.

While on England duty, Gary worked with managers Fabio Capello, Stuart Pearce and Roy Hodgson. As many of you will remember, he (somewhat unfortunately) made headlines in 2014 when he was stretchered from the touchline of England’s World Cup match with Italy after dislocating his ankle celebrating a goal by Daniel Sturridge. [Insert joke about it being ‘typical Arsenal’]

We await official confirmation from the club of Gary’s return. In the meantime, we’ll put to the back of our mind that he once saved John Terry’s life. Welcome back, sir.