McKenna set for swift return

Preston midfielder Paul McKenna could return to first-team action within two weeks after a successful operation on his hernia problem.

There had been concern that the 29-year-old would face a long absence with the recurring problem, but after undergoing surgery in Germany on Saturday it now appears he will make a swift recovery.

"We believe it was a success," manager Paul Simpson told the club's official website. "It was an injury that he has already had repaired once and I am being told that what they put in is some kind of mesh into the hernia and this mesh had come loose and was pressing on a couple of nerves and that was giving him the discomfort.

"So he has had that dealt with and he has had it repaired. We expect between a week and two weeks he will be back in full training and if all goes to plan it won't take him long to get back in the squad."

Meanwhile, Simpson believes Andy Lonergan is finally justifying his position as first-choice keeper.

Lonergan came in for Carlo Nash after Nash told the club he wanted a move to Fulham during the January transfer window.

With Nash now on-loan at Wigan, Lonergan has become Simpson's number one, but there were question marks early on after some shaky performances.

However, former England Under 21 international Lonergan put in a man-of-the-match display on Monday in the 3-1 over Southampton and Simpson now feels he made the right decision.

"I've got to say I've been critical of him, but I said to him after the game that I've asked questions of him, but I've stuck with him because I think he is a fantastic talent and he's a goalkeeper who will get better," he said.

"He is the right keeper to be in the line-up at the moment."