Scotland U21 international Paul Coutts is back in contention again for Saturday's game against Watford following a two week spell on the sidelines.

The 21-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw against former manager Alan Irvine's Sheffield Wednesday three Tuesdays ago, but will be back fit to face the Hornets tomorrow.

It was a shame for the central midfield player who had been impressing the Preston faithful with his energy and power in the engine room of North End's team.

Saturday will see Coutts, if selected, come up against Arsenal loan man Henri Lansbury who could be operating in the central midfield role against the Lilywhite's ace. The 19-year-old along with Manchester United loan signing, and Watford's top goal scorer, Tom Cleverley have been the two to watch this year at the Hertfordshire club.

In North End's last encounter with the Golden Boys back at the start of November at Vicarage Road the hosts ran out 2-0 winners courtesy of first half goals from Heider Helguson and Cleverley.  

However, the 'Orns have only picked up one point in their last four games following their home draw against Middlesbrough but suffered defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Wednesday.

So it will be up to the central midfield pairing on the day to steady the White's ship and set the blistering tempo that manager Darren Ferguson has demanded from his players leading up to Saturday's clash.   

Before his injury it looked like a partnership had been struck with North End's loan man Matt James with the duo lining up together on a number of occasions in the heart of midfield. But now Coutts will have stiff competition from Richard Chaplow who has come in and done the business for the Lilywhites leaving the gaffer with a 'good headache'.  

Releaved to be back in contention Coutts revealed to PNE.com his delight at being back in contention. The Scot said: "I'm feeling good now. I'm over my injury problem now, so hopefully I will stay injury free for the rest of the season.

"Watford will be a difficult game but hopefully, being at home, we can manage to get three points to help pull us clear of the lower pack.

"I simply over-stretched in the latter parts of the game against Sheffield Wednesday and obviously I got tired.

"Like I say, I've over-stretched for something and got a little pull in my hamstring. I've only been out for one to two weeks or so but it's fine now.

"I've not really lost any fitness - you don't lose it that quickly. I've been working in the gym and that whilst I've been on the sidelines so it's fine."

In the game against Wednesday the young gun managed to find the back of the net to put Preston two up before the Owls launched their comeback.

Prior to the game against Irvine's men, Ferguson had set Coutts, who he formally managed at Peterborough, the task of getting forward more and encorporating shots into his game.

And since answering his gaffer's wishes a little over two weeks ago the Scot has been unable to continue his good form. But maybe Preston's number 15 would have been back in the squad quicker but for the repetative fixture list the Championship has to offer.

Asked whether or not he has any personal goals for the rest of the season Coutts focused more on the team and challenged his team-mates to go unbeaten, starting with the Hornets at the weekend.

Coutts added: "I just hope that the team can now go on and pick up a couple of wins and we can go on a little run. If we can stay unbeaten until the end of the season then it would be great.

"The gaffer doesn't want to lose any games so it will be no different until the end of the season - we want to stay unbeaten.

"Hopefully I can get on the scoresheet again when I next play, but who knows?

"I've been here a couple of months now - it's brilliant. I've settled in now so everything is going well - I'm enjoying it."

Since signing on deadline day of the transfer window in early February, Coutts has made nine starts for the Lilywhites and getting on the scoresheet once.

Interestingly Coutts' goal against the Yorkshire club was the first in his professional career and since breaking his duck the young gun will be looking to double his total against Watford.

Malky Mackay's defence have leaked ten goals in the last five games so now is an ideal chance for the ex-Peterborough player to get back amongst the goals. 

But it important for the White not to forget his strong defensive duties after seeing North End let the lead slip on the past two occasions on home soil having been two goals up.