Preston North End club captain Tom Clarke is getting closer to a return to first team action after completing 60 minutes in a behind closed doors game in midweek.
The North End No.5 came through unscathed in a win over Carlisle United at Springfields and was back out with the first team for training as they began their preparations for the trip to Queens Park Rangers.
Manager Alex Neil revealed at his pre-match press conference for the game at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, that he hoped to have even more bodies back having missed a huge number for the controversial late defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.
An entire back four of Andrew Hughes, Darnell Fisher, Patrick Bauer and Ben Davies missed the game, as well as Clarke and Paul Gallagher and the gaffer is hoping to have a good proportion of these players back for the clash with Mark Warburton’s men.
Louis Moult is still out, as he works on his rehabilitation from his ACL operation back in August and Josh Ginnelly is the other player who has been on the sidelines of late and unavailable.
The hosts at the weekend, operated a back four at Derby last weekend, with Nahki Wells and former PNE loanee Todd Kane amongst those on the bench and the Rs boss will have multiple options should be wish to change formation again.
One man expected to start, lining up against his former club, will be Jordan Hugill, who has started the season very well on loan with the London outfit and he will no doubt receive a good reaction from the big following contingent heading down from Preston for the game.