Preston North End manager Alex Neil says he is hopeful that centre back Ben Davies will be available for his side's trip to Charlton Athletic on Sunday afternoon.
Davies was absent from his side's clash with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, when North End came from 2-0 down at half time to claim a 3-2 win, after failing a late fitness test, but it seems he could be set to return to the side this weekend.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with the Addicks, Neil was asked about the situation with regards to Davies, with the Preston boss quoted by the club's official Twitter account as saying: “He should train the later part of the week and so I’m hopeful he will be available for Sunday.â€
Prior to his absence against Blackburn, Davies - who has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs as well as German side Bayer Leverkusen (The Sun, 27/10 page 61) in recent weeks - had been an ever-present in the Championship for Preston this season.
North End go into the game second in the Championship standings, two points adrift of league leaders West Brom.
Charlton meanwhile are ninth following their 2-2 draw with the Baggies at the weekend, with Lee Bowyer's side just two points off the play-off spots.
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The Verdict
This is a big boost for Preston.
Davies has been a big presence in the centre of their defence this season, so having him back will surely add to their confidence ahead of what looks to be a tricky test at The Valley.
Indeed, with Preston's defence looking much more unstable without him against Blackburn, and just five of their 25 points this season coming away from home, they will surely want Davies back in the side as soon as possible.
Even then, with Charlton continuing to impress this season and Macauley Bonne stepping up in attack in the absence of Lyle Taylor, this still looks as though will be a tough test for Preston on Sunday.