Lewis Dobbin on his future after brilliant Preston North End loan - while Sheffield United link surfaces
The Aston Villa man has had a fantastic loan spell at PNE
Preston North End loan star Lewis Dobbin isn’t sure what the immediate future holds.
But the 23-year-old’s confidence is sky-high given the way this season has gone, and he now wants to play at the best level possible. Dobbin has scored nine league goals and assisted eight for PNE, with another goal netted in the EFL Cup. He has two years left to run on his contract at Aston Villa but for now, his focus is making the most of Preston’s last game, at home to Southampton.
“I’ll just take it as the weeks come and see what happens in the summer,” said Dobbin last weekend. “One more game, give it my all and have a nice, deserved break. It's going to be an exciting last day and I'll take it all in. I owe the club a lot, so I'll try and enjoy it as much as possible. When you go on loan and you have such a good connection with the fans and the club... they’ve definitely got a fan for life and we'll see what happens.”
Dobbin is Preston’s top scorer but has been half of a class double-act all year. Alfie Devine has also had an excellent season on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, with the pair’s friendship evident all year. Commenting on Devine’s Instagram post over the weekend, Dobbin said: ‘So thankful to share the pitch with you. See you for the last dance next Saturday’. Devine recently discussed his future and assured he will be in control of his next step, should another move materialise in the summer. Dobbin plans to do the same.
“Exactly, I think that's the main thing,” said Dobbin. “I want to take a step forward rather than a sideways or backwards step. I want to try and play at the highest level possible; I think I can do that. So, that's what I'll aim to do and we'll see what happens. I speak to them (Aston Villa) weekly. I'll have to go in after the end of the season so we'll see what they say and hopefully, they'll be really happy with me.”
On the prospect of playing Championship football again, Dobbin said: ”We'll see what happens. I mean, it depends. There's a lot of factors. You've got to listen to what other clubs are saying. You've got to listen to what Aston Villa want for you as well. So, it's difficult. I think whatever happens, I'll try and make it the most suitable move for me and the position I'm in, in my career at the minute. I've just got to make the most out of whatever situation I get thrown into.”
Reports: Dobbin on Blades list
The day after PNE’s victory at Bramall Lane, a report surfaced from our sister-title, the Sheffield Star. They suggest Dobbin is on a ‘long list’ of Premier League wingers the Blades could target in the summer. Interestingly, it is claimed they would face competition from the Bundesliga, should they make a move.