Will Keane is “itching to get going” in the Championship, with the new season now just a week away.
The striker, who joined Preston North End on a permanent basis earlier this month, has played a part in the last four pre-season outings for his new side in preparation for next weekend’s curtain raiser against Bristol City.
Those appearances have allowed Will – who previously had a loan spell at Deepdale in 2015 – a chance to get used to playing with his new teammates before the real action begins.
“I’ve absolutely loved it,” he said. “It’s been great to be back in the fold.
“It’s nice to be in familiar surroundings and just the whole set-up has been great. It’s such a good group of lads and staff, and it’s great to be a part of it.
“I’m itching to get going, get to the business side of it and we can have a good week’s preparation now leading towards Bristol City.
“The last couple of weeks [have been about] building those relationships and getting used to all my teammates, and I feel like it’s been a great opportunity to do that the last three or four games.
“I’ve been getting up to match fitness and that bit of sharpness so I feel like I’ve benefitted from those three or four games before the season with the lads, and like I said I’m just looking forward to getting into the competitive games now and itching to get started.”
North End didn’t finish pre-season in the way which they’d have liked to, having lost 2-0 away from home against Sky Bet League Two side Stockport County.
PNE created plenty of opportunities to get on the scoresheet in the first half to no avail, while the hosts’ two goals came from a corner and a well-struck free-kick.
Will said: “Obviously it’s a disappointing result. We go into every game wanting to win, but I thought in the first half there were a lot of positive signs.
“I thought we had some really good play, moved the ball well and carved out a few good chances.
“Obviously we would like to take them but it’s good that we’re creating opportunities. Then the second half went a little bit flat.
“We became a little bit disjointed so we need to make sure we’re trying to keep that intensity up for the full game, but it’s another good test, great to get the minutes in the bank and obviously now we’re looking forward to next weekend.”