Lee Holmes speaks to PNE.Com on his return to training, having completed over an hour in a behind closed doors fixture earlier in the week.
The 25-year-old winger has been on the sidelines since suffering a severe gash to his knee on an advertising board at Bournemouth in August, which caused damage inside the knee.
But he returned to training on Monday and then faced Blackpool in a ‘bounce’ game on Tuesday, playing 65 minutes, having originally only planned to get half an hour under his belt. And now he feels that things are moving forwards and is looking forward to a return to the squad in the near future.
“I have recently returned back to training, I managed to get an over an hour under my belt on Tuesday against Blackpool which is a huge positive,” he told the official website. “It is nice to be back in and around the lads and playing football once again in training.
“It was a tough and strange injury to take more than anything. We couldn't put a time scale on how long it was going to be, we had to let the body heal itself it the best way it could.
“It was more frustrating not knowing how long I was going to be out for, but now everything seems to be going in the right direction and it is nice to be back out there doing what I do.
“Another problem that we faced was that there have not been many types of that kind of injury around.
“It has been frustrating, especially picking the injury up so early in the season. Every week kept coming and the injury didn't seem to be progressing.
“We are at a stage now where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is pleasing.”
His involvement against the Seasiders at Springfields was a big step for the former Derby County man, but he says he will not rush his return, as he wants to make sure he is affecting games in a positive way when the manager does include him in the squad.
“ It was important for me to play against Blackpool, I was able to work on my match fitness and also get back playing with the lads and get used to the ball back at my feet.
“I want to be at a place where I am ready to make an impact in the first team. When the gaffer thinks I am ready and the time is right, I will come back in, but it is down to him,” he added.
You can read more from Holmes about the injury, his targets and what he wants to achieve on his return in Tuesday night’s edition of The One And Only, when the Lilywhites take on Carlisle United – don’t miss you 84-page matchday magazine.