Preston North End striker David Nugent is looking forward to visiting one of his former clubs on Tuesday night.
The PNE No.35 had come off the bench to grab two 30 minute run outs in the last two games and is hopeful of more match minutes when the Lilywhites travel to the Riverside Stadium.
Speaking to iFollow PNE, the frontman admits it was a club he had good times with: “It is back up to Middlesbrough,” he said. “I had great memories there, winning promotion to the Premier League and I still have friends who are still playing for them.
“I got on well with all the staff and one of the former players is now the manager, so I am looking forward to seeing them.
“Most of the players I played with are still there. They have a good core of English players who are still playing week in, week out.
“Obviously, I want to win the game; I want to try and get three points on the board and stick in the Play-Off positions and we could be top of the league by Tuesday night if all the results went for us.
“I scored against Middlesbrough when I was at Derby and I will be looking to do the same again on Tuesday. If you are not playing well there, it can be hostile, but we will be expecting a reaction from their players.
“If we score early it could make the result, but they will want to come out fighting and show the fans that they want to play for the club. It is a tough place to go, but we are ready, the lads are up for the game and want to win to stay in the hunt.
“We have a game plan for every game and it is up to us to stick to our game plan and if we do what the gaffer tells us to, then I am sure we will get a good result.
“So far, we are doing really well; the gaffer picks teams to win the games and it is up to whoever is selected to go and play to the best of our abilities and if we do that, then we are capable of beating any team in this league.”
Nuge played in the league for PNE for the first time since May 2007 at the weekend and he thought it was a positive performance with plenty of character from the team.
“It was very entertaining, very end to end; going 2-0 down the lads showed a lot of character to get it back to 2-2 and then we showed it again to come back and equalise at 3-2,” he continued.
“The lads are doing ever so well at home, the form is really good and it is now vital that we pick up points on the road as well.”
After having to be patient about his debut after a calf injury curtailed his first few weeks of the season, the Scouser now feels well and truly part of the team again at Deepdale.
“I finally feel part of the squad. It is nice to be in the matchday squad again. I have worked hard to try and get fit and these 30 minutes I am getting at the moment are vital, because I need match fitness, so I am getting there and if the gaffer wants me to start, I think I am ready.
“I am not sure I will last the game, but I will always give 100 per cent and see what the game brings.
“I am getting the match fitness now, I just need to get a goal. I had a chance on Saturday that just went wide of the post, but if I start a game, I back myself to score a goal and if we do that and get the three points, we will all go home happy,” he added.