No rush job for North End goal hero Sean

Preston boss Alex Neil says he is easing Sean Maguire back into action after his lengthy injury lay-off.
Sean Maguires is congratulated by Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne and Callum Robinson after scoring the winner against Bristol CitySean Maguires is congratulated by Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne and Callum Robinson after scoring the winner against Bristol City
Sean Maguires is congratulated by Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne and Callum Robinson after scoring the winner against Bristol City

The Irish striker has been PNE’s super-sub in the last two games, scoring three goals.

Tuesday night’s winner against Bristol City followed hot on the heels of netting twice at Bolton.

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With three goals in just 51 minutes of action, there will be a clamour for Maguire to start soon.

However, his injury was a serious one, with him needing an operation to reattach the hamstring muscle in his left leg to the tendon.

Neil said: “I had a choice of giving him 60 minutes from the start and him then not making the weekend.

“Or I could give him 30 minutes and hope to get an impact.

“Hopefully he will be ready for the weekend and have that kind of impact – that is the stage we are at.

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“To have done what he did at Bolton, started on Tuesday night and then play again this Saturday would be too much at this stage, hence us having Sean on the bench against Bristol City.

“What I will say is that this is a guy who has made an impact in both games.

“Looking at Bristol City, they concede more goals in the second half than they do in the first half.

“Things like that play 
a part in your thought process when you are picking a 
team.”

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Maguire now has seven goals in a Preston shirt, not a bad return for a player who missed four months.

He had scored more than 20 goals for Cork City prior to July’s move and is looking more of a bargain signing by the game.

On Saturday, PNE face Fulham at Deepdale – it was against the London side that injury hit Maguire in October.

He had scored to put North End 2-0 up at Craven Cottage but limped off soon after.

The 23-year-old returned to play twice before the extent of the injury was discovered.