A return to Preston for West Ham striker Jordan Hugill is 'highly unlikely', The Lancashire Evening Post have reported.

The Sun (20/06 print edition, p49) had reported that Preston boss Alex Neil believed a return to Deepdale for Hugill would help push the club closer to a place in the Championship play-offs next season.

That however may now not be the case, with sources close to Preston reported as describing the move as 'highly unlikely', although it is there is a sense of 'never say never' around the deal.

Hugill joined Preston from Port Vale in the summer of 2014, and went onto make 114 appearances and score 30 goals in all competitions for the club, before moving to West Ham late in the 2018 winter transfer window.

The move to West Ham has not worked out for the striker however. Hugill has made just three appearances for the Premier League - all as a substitute - and spent last season back on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough, where he scored seven goals in 41 appearances in all competitions for 'Boro.

The Verdict

I'm not convinced this is the worst thing for Preston.

While some Preston fans may be keen on a return to Deepdale for Hugill, his record even in a play-off chasing Middlesbrough side during his loan there last season wasn't convincing, which suggests that Hugill may not be the option for Preston.

His wages as well are likely to have risen since his move to West Ham, so that as well could have hampered North End's plans in terms of recruitment and contract negotiations with other players.

You feel therefore that Preston may now be better suited to focusing on other potential signings in the summer transfer window.