Calvin Ramsay feels ready to go and is looking to make his mark in the Championship after returning from a period on the sidelines.
The Liverpool loanee, who officially joined Preston North End in mid-July, went back to his parent club for rehabilitation after suffering an injury setback in the summer.
Having returned to Euxton at the beginning of last week, the 20-year-old played 45 minutes in the Lancashire Senior Cup tie against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday afternoon, and he now feels ready to make his bow in the league.
Calvin said: “I’m delighted. It’s been a tough year for me with a couple of knee injuries, but this time when I went back to Liverpool for my rehab I made sure I worked harder than ever.
“I wanted to come back and get a good run in the team hopefully, and try and show what I can do, so I’m delighted to be back and get some minutes today, and I’m ready to go.
“I feel really good to be honest. I could have played longer [against Accrington Stanley], but it’s probably sensible in my first game back just to ease in and play 45.
“I just can’t wait to get started and hopefully play some first team games. I’m looking forward to it.”
Arriving at PNE in the summer looking to put a previous spell in the treatment room behind him, the Scottish defender admitted it was “devastating” to be ruled out for a prolonged period in the summer.
Having no bumps in his recovery, though, he felt time flew by and he’s now pleased to be back with his North End teammates, having only had minimal time with them after his initial arrival.
Calvin explained: “That was probably the most difficult part because I was here for only a couple of weeks and I was getting to know the lads, and then suddenly I had to go away again for two or three months.
“It was quite tough but I tried to keep in contact with a lot of them and was messaging them. They were asking how I was doing and stuff. It was good to keep in contact with them and I’m just glad to be back now.
“It felt like my first day again to be fair but in saying that it didn’t feel that long. I think it was 12 weeks, but it certainly didn’t feel like that. I just want to get my head down now and crack on.”
The capped Scotland international not only had the support of his PNE teammates during his rehab but also the North End fans, who he was keen to thank for their messages throughout the previous few months.
There will be more than 5,000 of them heading to Ewood Park on Friday evening for a Lancashire derby and Calvin is hoping he can play a part, but if not then the international break which follows could offer a good opportunity to build up his fitness.
He said: “There’s a game on Friday night against Blackburn so I’m not sure what will happen, but hopefully I can get myself in the squad and make my debut in the Championship.
“Obviously my aim is to get in the Blackburn squad and get minutes, but if I don’t it’s a good chance for me to get a few training sessions in over the break, get my fitness up again and after the break it’s go-time.”