Lancashire

Preston left-back Andrija Vukcevic wants to help turn North End's fortunes around after his return to action.

A recurring hamstring injury has seen the 29-year-old Serbia defender limited to just four substitute appearances since October, the latest in Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Middlesbrough which followed a seven-game lay-off.

Three wins in 11 Championship games since the start of December has seen the Lilywhites slip to ninth, having spent the majority of the season in the play-off places.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I am finally back, I am feeling good, I have been working hard to come back as quick as I can. I am just happy to be able to perform again.

"It's been a bad run of games but we have already shown this season what we are capable of doing so I think we will bounce back quick.

"We are focused on improving. We have an opportunity to turn around on Saturday (at Ipswich, 15:00 GMT).

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is still positive, everyone is focused on improving, that's the most important thing.

"It's just a bad run and everyone will try to turn this around."

The 22-cap Montenegro star revealed he has been supporting his compatriot Milutin Osmajic following his latest disciplinary indiscretion - a red card for headbutting Hull's John Lundstram on 20 January.

"We have been talking a lot," Vukcevic said. "I feel sorry for him. He's been playing really well and this kind of thing happens and sets you back a bit, because he needs to be here to help the team, score goals and focus on football.

"He has to learn how to handle those situations, to be smarter in such a situation. He knows he made mistakes and I hope it won't happen again."

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom says he shares the frustration of the fans about limited incomings so far in the January transfer window - but hopes they can strengthen before the deadline passes.

The Lilywhites have made one signing, bringing striker Milos Lukovic in on loan, but their squad has been depleted in recent weeks by departures, injuries and suspensions.

North End are without eight players they had available at the start of the month.

Daniel Iversen, Andrew Hughes and Brad Potts are injured, while Milutin Osmajic is serving a three-game suspension and Jordan Storey will miss the trip to Ipswich after his red card at Middlesbrough.

Stefan Thordarson was sold to Hannover 96, Will Keane went on loan to Reading and Harrison Armstrong returned to parent club Everton, though Heckingbottom hopes the 19-year-old will return for the remainder of the season.

"We'll wait and hopefully get him back," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He's not our player and it's totally down to Everton. I spoke with David [Moyes] again this morning, so I know the lay of the land, exactly where we sit and he knows our thoughts on it."

Heckingbottom said supporters are "as worried as I am" that their January business is still yet to be concluded.

"I'd rather have it [incomings] on 1 January, that's the aim and then you can be working with it," he said.

"I'm looking at the players we've lost in a time when we can do something about it. So my frustrations are always that. That will always be the same, but it's not an easy window to work in, to operate in."

Preston have suffered three straight league defeats and picked up just four wins from their past 15 Championship games (D6 L5) which has seen them slip from fourth to ninth, one point off the play-off places.

"Hopefully we welcome Andy [Hughes] back now, he's back in training, so that's one back," Heckingbottom added.

"If we can bring a couple of signings in, brilliant. If we can get Harrison back, then we'll be back to where we wanted to be."

Burnley, along with Italian Serie A sides Juventus and Napoli, are interested in Raheem Sterling, who has left Chelsea by mutual agreement. (Mail), external

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