Sent to Plymouth Argyle on loan by Aston Villa a month into this season, the 20-year-old shared the load of a club who were – and are –
in danger of losing their Championship status.

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Lowry played 13 times and experienced eight defeats before rejoining his parent club in time for Christmas.

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Argyle were bottom of their division and the subject of a transfer embargo when he said his goodbyes, the very definition of a team in trouble through no fault of Lowry's.

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The scenario he found at Elland Road last week was a pleasant contrast, an opportunity to involve himself in a more positive and ambitious atmosphere.

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Leeds spent the weeks of January looking over their shoulders but for very different reasons, wary only of the clubs that were attempting to force them out of League One's automatic promotion positions.

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A 2-0 victory over Colchester United on the day of Lowry's debut last weekend settled the tension which had started to develop around Elland Road and proved to the defender that United's loss of form was likely to be temporary.

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Lowry cut his teeth at Home Park, making his first senior start for the Championship side and a defender whom Villa rate highly intends to make further strides during a temporary deal with United which runs until March 13.

His steady debut against Colchester suggests that Simon Grayson will be as willing to use him as Plymouth were.

Lowry said: "I was at Plymouth for three months and that was a good experience but there was no doubt that I wanted to come to Leeds.

"I was in the Championship (at Plymouth) and we were down at the bottom of the league fighting relegation. This is a different situation because I've come to a winning team, so to speak.

"No disrespect to Plymouth or anyone down there because I had a great time with them. They were very good to me but when you go into a winning team it does your confidence good.

"When you're losing week in, week out you start to look at your performances in more depth and start to think 'is it my fault'?

"Coming here will do me the world of good in terms of confidence. Leeds are known for being a footballing side and, coming from Aston Villa, that's good for me."

Lowry has been with Villa for five years since signing youth team forms as a 15-year-old, and he has edged into the plans of Martin O'Neill this season, playing in Europa League fixtures against Rapid Vienna and in an FA Cup tie against Brighton last month.

The Premier League club see great potential in him, as do Australia, the country of his birth and the nation who he has chosen to commit his international future to.

Present in Lowry's resume are appearances for the Republic of Ireland's under-21 squad. The defender was born to Irish parents but considers himself Australian and his brief dalliance with the Republic was ended by his decision to pursue full honours with the Socceroos.

He is yet to be capped but has featured in a number of Australia's senior squads.

Lowry's arrival at Elland Road increased an Aussie influence at Leeds
maintained previously by Patrick Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny, both of whom have represented the country.

Lowry said: "I was born in Australia to Irish parents. I played for Ireland at under-21 level but then switched over to the country of my birth.

"I've been in the last three squads and I haven't been capped yet but I've always seen myself as an Australian."

The exposure of playing for Plymouth and Leeds is more likely to aid his standing with Australia's coaching team than the few outings he has made with Villa.

O'Neill possesses a deep and talented squad and Villa's consistent form this season has helped his team to pick itself.

Lowry is coming into the final stages of his contract at Villa Park – his deal expires this summer – but he expects to hold talks with the club over an extended agreement.

His time at Elland Road may help to raise his stock further and the defender was not spared from scrutiny last weekend.

Leeds were under pressure after a draw and two defeats from their three previous league games and Lowry only had one training session with the club before the visit of Colchester.

With Andrew Hughes laid low by illness, Grayson chose to start Lowry at left-back and was happy to see United maintain a clean sheet during his 71 minutes on the field.

"The manager's exact words were 'go out and enjoy yourself'," Lowry said. "He told me that I didn't have to prove anything to anyone and to do what I've been doing.

"I was only told on Thursday morning that Leeds were interested and I found out on the Friday that I was going to be in the starting line-up. I got thrown straight in but I was happy to get a starting place.

"I need to do well here but nothing is guaranteed for me. Just because
we won in my first game doesn't mean that I'll keep my place or anything like that. I want to show that I deserve to be here.

"My deal with Villa's up at the end of the season so I'll need to sit down with them and talk about that but I'll do my job here first and get a few games under my belt."