'I think it's important' - Plan for injured Preston North End man set out by Paul Heckingbottom

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom has stressed the need to adopt a cautious approach with Brad Potts.

The 30-year-old has missed the last two games - against Coventry City and Norwich City - through injury. Potts played the full match at Burnley, before the international break, but took a whack at Turf Moor which has since flared up.

He had started six of the first seven league games under Heckingbottom - who feels Potts is capable of doing a job both out wide and in midfield. The 47-year-old wants to have his player back available, but won’t push him to the limits or risk him suffering a longer injury.

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“It's one of those where the more rest we can give him, the better it is, but he is not going to get worse if he's playing,” said Heckingbottom. “We've had that opinion, so we get that. But, then when he is playing, we know it may agitate him a little bit.

“So, it won’t be like he’s fit and then 90 minutes in a row for the next six games. It's something we are going to have to look at, in terms of his training load and game time. But, to have him available is the most important thing.”

On the need to manage the number 44, he added: “Yeah, just to get him over the symptoms and, whenever we can, I think it's important we do it - because we want him 100 per cent, as quickly as possible.

“I say that, you are never 100 per cent - you could pick up something else. It's important we get him available and then manage him, his work load and what we do through the week - to get him over this issue."