Chilvers joined Preston from Colchester in 2006 (Getty Images)

Injured Preston defender Liam Chilvers has said he hopes to be training again in six months' time.

The centre-back is recovering from surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon last month at Charlton.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "The physio Matt [Radcliffe] says it'll be six to nine months before I'm ready completely and ready for games.

"But I'm impatient and looking at six months - we'll just have to see how it goes with the specialist."

The 26-year-old has described the moment he suffered the injury in the warm-up prior to the game at The Valley.

It happened at a good time, if there is a good time Preston defender Liam Chilvers

"Me and Youl [Mawene] were knocking long balls to each other. As I pushed off to strike the ball I felt a bang in the back of my leg. My foot went a bit floppy."

Chilvers, who is on crutches, admitted the injury could have had a negative impact on Preston's relegation battle had it happened earlier in the season.

"That's how people have tried to console me. It could have been mid-season or Christmas and I'd have missed the whole thing. As it is, there'll be two or three months when the lads won't be playing and on holiday.

"It happened at a good time, if there is a good time."