Preston North End injury news as one returns for Leicester City but another ruled out for season

Preston North End defender Lewis Gibson is back in contention for the Good Friday clash at Leicester City.

The centre-back tore a shoulder muscle during the home defeat to Oxford United, in early March. But, manager Paul Heckingbottom says he is back in the picture now and could play a part against the Foxes.

“Yeah, the only one who's obviously further on and probably 100% now is Gibbo,” said Heckingbottom to BBC Lancashire. “He's virtually there. He's done everything with us, he's really confident now and yeah, he's in a position where there is nothing holding him back now.”

Elsewhere in the PNE squad, Jamal Lewis has been ruled out for the rest of the season. The left-back, who signed a short-term deal until the end of the campaign, went to see a specialist about his ankle issue. Ali McCann, Robbie Brady and Callum Lang will all miss the Leicester clash and, most likely, the Easter Monday meeting with QPR.

Heckingbottom added: “Ali's not fit, Langy, Robbie... although he (Brady) went away, played minutes and obviously took a penalty and things, just reported a bit of soreness in his hamstring. So, he'll not be available. Him and Langy will probably be after next weekend.

“He's (Lang) outside running now. The ankle one was more contact, which is fine. The hamstring, when he was knocked off balance, is the one we’re sort of rehabbing. Because of his history, because of where we are I’ve said to him and Jacko, I want him back on the grass, training and available to play as soon as possible.

“But I'm not going to take any risks with him, in terms of throwing him on to the pitch, expecting him to play 90 minutes or such. I just want him to get that confidence again and get him back playing football as soon as possible before the summer.

“Ali was nowhere near ready to play for Northern Ireland but wanted to go there, wanted to report. So, it's not like he's been close. It was a bit of a naughty ankle injury that was going to take a couple of weeks to clear up. I think he knew deep down he was nowhere near fit.

“I saw him trying to jog on the Friday morning out there and I knew he was nowhere near. He wanted to be there; he would’ve gone to the game anyway. Their medical department is close with Jacko and they just took over his rehab for a few days.

“Obviously, they were knocked out and then he came back with us and we continued where he left off. Robbie's had a tough time of it. I think I heard the news on Sunday morning; Jacko found out Saturday night. It was the last thing I was expecting because I'd seen the minutes, the games.

“So, I just feared the worst. Robbie's come in a bit more positive and he's been assessed, he's running again today. He'll be back soon enough. It's just important we get him back fit and on the grass again.”