Former Arsenal trainee Chilvers has made 80 appearances for Preston

Liam Chilvers has returned to first-team training at Preston North End three months ahead of schedule.

The centre-back, 26, has not played since March after rupturing his Achilles tendon and was not expected to play again until Christmas.

Manager Alan Irvine told BBC Radio Lancashire: "He's in his pre-season - we hope, as we step up the intensity of training, he doesn't have problems.

"We'll be careful, we don't want to put him at risk - he's had one session."

The advice Liam's been given has been top class and he's followed that advice Preston boss Alan Irvine

Chilvers injured himself while warming up for the Championship game at Charlton on 8 March.

"Liam deserves an awful amount of credit, as do the physios," added Irvine.

"The medical team have been really, really good and worked extremely hard throughout the summer - the advice Liam's been given has been top class and he's followed that advice.

"He's been a model patient."