'We'd be foolish' - Paul Heckingbottom on Preston North End man's injury setback and ex-Stoke City man latest
PNE have been without Brad Potts and Jordan Thompson all of this season so far
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom does not want to put a timeframe on Brad Potts’ return from injury.
The number 44 has not kicked a ball this campaign but was said to be the next in line for a return to action. However, after Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Hull City the PNE boss confirmed Potts had suffered a setback towards the end of his recovery.
On Thursday afternoon, Heckingbottom said: “Yeah, well Peter asked me and I said the same... it's just irrelevant to me whatever time they say, because he's got to the point where he's just about to come back. So, if they tell me three, four, pick a number, whatever they tell me, that's to that point and then it's whatever happens after that.
“So, that's what we have to look at and make sure that we're doing something about that transition, because we'd be foolish to do the same things over and over and over again. Sometimes it's just time, we get that, but you've still got to try your best to speed that process up.”
Elsewhere in the North End squad, the manager will remain without Pol Valentin, Robbie Brady, Will Keane and Jordan Thompson for Saturday’s match against Charlton Athletic at home. The latter, who signed from Stoke City in the summer, is making positive strides but Heckingbottom doesn’t want to specify a return date either.
“You can see the difference in him straight away, as soon as he started running this time, smile on his face, wants to get involved,” said Heckingbottom. “Whereas looking back now, it's obvious he was never really comfortable with where he was at, so yeah, we're all really positive where he's at.
“And it'd be nice, first and foremost, to get him back with the group. Being injured's tough, but when you're the brand new signing and you've still not trained with your team mates yet, we'll welcome him back gladly and it'll be good to have him. I honestly don't know (if November is realistic for a return).
“I think his progression, touch wood, should be seamless back in. But yeah, he's back when he's back. That's it; I just don't waste time, thoughts, energy and count on them coming back, because all you can do is set yourself up for disappointment. So, I just totally switch off from it.
“Obviously, I see the lads, chat with the lads and make sure they're all OK, because it's the worst room to be in the physio room. But from my point of view and how I like to focus and manage my time and energy in the right way, it's pointless to be getting wound up. If I'm putting a date on the board when I want him back, the only thing I can be is disappointed.”
On what Thompson will bring to the table when fit, he added: “The left foot gives us that balance, we spoke about that when we signed him. So, depending on where we want to play him, he's got a good tactical understanding, especially when he's on the pitch.
“I had him doing a couple of the opposition reports for us and it was good what he brought back, while he was out injured, so that backs up what I thought about him. A good brain; gets the game.
“And on the pitch, he's a winner, a personality. All I have to look at is the teams he's been at, the games he's been at. He worked his way into the teams at Stoke with a big changeover of managers. I think that says a lot about a person.”