SAN JOSE — Defender Jordan Stewart has returned at a most opportune moment for the inconsistent Earthquakes.

Stewart, 33, is expected to make his season debut during San Jose’s brutal stretch of three Major League Soccer away games in eight days, starting Friday night at Real Salt Lake.

The Quakes (3-4-0) can use all the help they can get, particularly at Stewart’s left back position where winger Cordell Cato has had to fill in because of injuries.

Cato has played admirably while Shaun Francis (head) and Stewart (calf muscle) have been sidelined. But San Jose welcomes the return of its veteran English defender who started 29 games last year.

“We’re definitely going to need as many players as we can,” coach Dominic Kinnear said.

Stewart has been San Jose’s biggest cheerleader while on the sideline, particularly when it comes to Cato.

“That would be the last position everyone thought he could play, but he’s done a good job,” said Stewart, who returned to full practice last week.

With Stewart available, Kinnear has more options in case Cato is needed in the midfield. Stewart also brings experience and stability to San Jose’s defense.

After 15 vagabond years in England, he found a home on the Earthquakes’ backline in 2013 when arriving after the summer transfer window. But Stewart has not had the chance to show Kinnear his value after straining a calf muscle in a preseason exhibition Feb. 26.

Stewart got pushed while making a run against San Francisco Stompers FC and felt a sharp pain. After 3″‡½ weeks of treatment, he thought he was close to full recovery.

Not quite.

He aggravated the injury during warmups last month. Team trainers decided to take more time with recovery.

“Because I’m one of the older guys, some days I’m like, ‘Yeah, I understand,’ ” Stewart said.

A MRI scan revealed he had a low-grade strain, which meant Stewart needed patience as much as treatment. But he still had felt the insecurity of not playing.

“I was having personal battles with myself wanting to step up the process,” Stewart said. “And then like maybe slow it down.”

Kinnear is downplaying his return to Houston on May 5 when the Earthquakes face the Dynamo. He coached Houston for its first nine years before returning to San Jose this year. “I don’t talk about that stuff,” Kinnear said. “I had a great time there. But as far as the return and stuff like that, I’m not playing. I’ll just try to do what I can to beat them.”

The Quakes don’t know when Steven Lenhart and his balky knee will be ready this year. Lenhart, who has had complications while recovering from surgery, is getting muscle tissue treatments in the Los Angeles area. “We’re going week-to-week with him,” Kinnear said. “Obviously, something’s wrong. We’re going to have to see if that’s the best path for him. It’s not a perfect scenario, but it’s the path that were working with him on.”

On the other hand, the training staff has been closely monitoring Chris Wondolowski, who rarely takes time off. He suffered a calf strain three weeks ago that has bothered him. “He wants to play all the time,” Kinnear said. “He’s not one guy who’s going to give you information. You always have to talk to him and I wouldn’t say pull it out of him, but suggest.”

The Quakes plan a brief return to San Jose after playing Real Salt Lake before resuming their long week of travel. They will head to Houston for a May 5 game before ending the week May 8 at Colorado. Kinnear didn’t want his players to be on the road for nine days because of the monotony. “It drives people crazy,” the coach said. “We’ll try to keep it as normal as possible.”