After being sidelined for four months through injury, defender Greg Cunningham was delighted to get his first 90 minutes at the weekend since returning to action.
Cunningham made his return against Cardiff City on 29th December, and played the full 90 minutes as North End progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with victory over Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
On his return, the Irishman said: "It's always great to be out on the pitch and to get the first 90 in is great for me mentally. As far as I'm concerned the injury is long behind me and I just want to crack on and make sure we push on for the rest of the season.
"I worked hard with Tom [Little] on the training pitch doing extra fitness work and obviously taking part in training and just doing as much as I could.
"Obviously with the busy Christmas schedule there was no opportunity for any bounce games but I had a chat with the gaffer before the Cardiff game and said the only way I could get sharp and get my fitness was to play matches."
"I got it against Cardiff for the 82 minutes or so, the Middlesbrough game came a bit too soon but I got the 90 against Wycombe and I'm feeling good.
The 25-year-old impressed at left back at Adams Park and rounded off his performance by setting up North End's fifth with a superb cross into the box which was headed in by Josh Harrop.
On his performance, Cunningham continued: "It was nice to get the assist, Josh was superb at the weekend, along with a number of the boys, it was a very good all round performance from the team but it's nice to get the 90 under my belt and to be in the hat for the draw."
Attentions now turn to Saturday's trip to Millwall and the defender is expecting a tough game against the Lions who have an impressive home record of late.
"It's always a tough place to go, I've been there a few times, it's a very hostile crowd and they've been playing some good stuff, especially at home."
"I think they are unbeaten in their last six at home and they are up to 15th in the league so it will be a tough game, like any in this division.
"We have had our recovery today from the weekend and in training tomorrow, all eyes will be on the Millwall game.
North End will be back by over 1,000 fans at the Den with four days of sales still to go, and Cunningham feels the fans can make a real difference this weekend.
"It will definitely make a difference, the fans have been fantastic at home, and I've said before the away support has been phenomenal so it's great that we've sold some good numbers for the weekend and it's a game that we are looking forward to."
Watch the full interview with Greg on iFollow PNE now by clicking on the video above.