Preston North End manager Alex Neil has suggested that Billy Bodin is edging closer to a potential return to fitness, with the 27-year-old having been out of action over the last month through injury.

Bodin has not featured for Preston since he suffered an Achilles injury in training last month, which has forced him to miss out on North End’s last seven Championship matches, although Neil’s side have managed to cope well in the 27-year-old’s absence winning four of those games to move back into the top six.

The attacker, though, is still a key option for Neil’s side when he is fully fit and he scored in his last appearance for the Lilywhites, which came in the FA Cup third round defeat at home to Premier League Norwich City, while he also has registered two goals in 15 Championship appearances so far this campaign.

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Speaking in his press conference, ahead of Preston’s game against Hull City at Deepdale on Saturday, Neil revealed that Bodin is making progress as he looks to get back to full fitness as soon as possible, saying: “His Achilles is still aggravated but he’s not too far way now.”

The verdict

This will undoubtedly be a boost for the Lilywhites, with Preston needing to have as many of their key players fully fit and available for the end of season run in as possible, if they are going to be able to ensure that they finish inside the Championship’s top six this term.

Preston have been coping well without Bodin over the last few weeks, but there were signs during their defeat against Millwall at Deepdale last time out that Preston are beginning to show a few signs of tiredness to some of their forward players.

Therefore the return of a refreshed Bodin over the next few weeks could potentially offer an injection of energy into the side in the attacking third, which could help Preston continue to battle it out at the top end of the division and keep picking up consistent results.

The 27-year-old will likely be eager to make up for lost time this season, and that could give him a real edge to make a crucial difference for the Lilywhites in the final third during the rest of the campaign – and that could prove to be a crucial factor in whether Neil’s side go up this term.