Preston Captain Callum Davidson is desperate to beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday as his former manager Billy Davies returns to Deepdale.
Davidson returned to the squad in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Doncaster Rovers and the skipper managed to get an hour of football under his belt ahead of Saturday's clash after replacing Tom Williams in the first half. Talking to PNE Player after the game, Davidson said:
"I was a little bit ahead of schedule; I didn't think that I would have been involved. I was on the bench just in case anything happened. It was unfortunate for Willow but fortunate for me to get 60 minutes and probably a vital 60 minutes for me.
"It was a longer 60 minutes than usual but it was good to blow the cobwebs away and just to get my fitness back to the level so I can compete with the boys."
Davidson has been out of action since late January when the defender was taken off with concussion. Since then, Davidson had sustained other injuries which forced the Scotsman to sit out for six weeks.
With the inclusion of Williams in the squad, Davidson was given more time to recover from his injuries and the Captain is pleased with the strength and depth which the Club currently have in defence.
"The Gaffer just wanted to make sure that I stayed fit, maybe with the time with my head injury I may have rushed it back from not playing. Maybe that was what caused my niggles but anyway, we have two good sets of back four's at the Club and any of the boys could play.
"It is good to have that and it is good competition as well, I know that I had to go in and perform well to try and stay in the team. It is up to me to put the performances in so the manager will pick me."
Davidson's return to fitness has come at a crucial time for North End with the visit of one of his former managers on Saturday. However, Davidson is focused on the task ahead as he looks to climb the Championship table with Preston.
"I think that there is only about two or three of us left from the time that Billy was here so he will be a familiar face to us and the fans.
"It will be good to see them all, I am desperate to beat Forest and hopefully push our way up the table. I don't particularly like looking at the table when we are sitting in the bottom half so let's hope we can push ourselves back up the table."
One former Preston player who has been ruled out is former Captain Paul McKenna who sustained medial ligament damage on Tuesday night against Swansea City. Davidson is disappointed that his friend won't be returning to Deepdale but believes that it will be a bonus for Preston.
"I don't think he is involved but I'm gutted Paul might not be here, I'm good friends with Paul. I'm gutted that he is injured but it is a bonus for us that he won't be playing."
