Double Preston North End injury update as summer signing makes positive strides
The PNE pair are eyeing returns to action over the next few weeks
Preston North End defender Andrija Vukcevic is pushing for a return to action.
The Montenegro international suffered a hamstring injury back in late October but was back involved in early December. However, after featuring in his third game back the full-back - who joined on a free transfer in the summer - suffered a further issue. PNE’s number three, though, is making solid progress.
“No, he trained today,” said Heckingbottom, when asked if Vukcevic is weeks away. “I’m not considering him for these next couple of games, though. We've just got to get him training regularly again.
“It was just a little setback... a different type of injury to his last one. He just goes flat out - you see how he plays - it's the same when he's training. It's a case of just putting the reins on him a little bit and holding him back.”
Lewis Gibson returned to the fold last week against Wigan Athletic, having suffered an injury in late October as well. The next player Heckingbottom will look to welcome back is Robbie Brady, who hasn’t kicked a ball this season - the Irishman underwent calf surgery in September. While pictured with a ball at his feet this week, Preston’s boss isn’t pinpointing a match for Brady to be back by.
“No,” said Heckingbottom. “Hopefully, we get him back in training with us to some degree by the end of the month. That'd be nice for him and for us. Then it's a case of him getting more and more confident and ticking things off.”
The North End manager has sung Brady’s praises for his contribution towards PNE’s survival last season. His crossing quality is something Heckingbottom is looking forward to having at his disposal again, but more-so Brady’s all round game.
“Certainly one of his strengths, yes,” said Heckingbottom. “I think if he gets half a yard and you want a delivery, no matter where he is on the pitch, it tends to be good delivery. Set plays, good. We've done a lot of work with Jordan Thomson, left-footed delivery set plays which is good. He has that dynamic.
“Robbie naturally brings that. Arguably, his personality is the biggest thing I like about him. I don't just mean that as a guy around the place, I mean his personality on the pitch. He doesn't shirk anything. He's brave, he takes the ball, he just goes and plays his game and he's got big moments in him.
“I think that's what we'd welcome back and he's desperate to get back. He's got other things as well. As much as he wants to be back playing, the next international break is in March... a big part of what Ireland do, so he's got loads of things to be pushing for.”
While Brady’s mentality and approach on the pitch has always pleased Preston’s boss, he was eager to develop the team’s as a whole. He feels there has been progress in that regard and wants it to continue, as a new challenge at Deepdale awaits in his eyes.
“Yeah, personality,” said Heckingbottom. “You can't be shy on the football pitch and no-one's going to give you a result, no-one's going to give you points. You have to go away to some big places, big grounds with so-called big names in the opposition. There's still an expectation that we have to go and win.
“Like I said, I think at home we have to now show a different mentality when teams are coming to disrupt us and make it difficult for us. We've got to be patient and not play into hands and just keep our discipline. If it takes a 1-0, if it has to be ground out, then we have to do that.”