GREG CLOSE TO RETURN
GREG CUNNINGHAM is on track for a New Year return but Sean Maguire is only setting out on the road to recovery.
The Ireland internationals, above, are sidelined for Preston North
End with hamstring injuries. Left-back Cunningham has been dogged by setbacks and broke his leg in April.
He returned at the start of this season, only to get crocked again when the hamstring muscle detached from the tendon in an August defeat at Derby.
Striker Maguire – recently crowned League of Ireland PFAI Player of the Year after his bag full of goals for champions Cork City – suffered an identical injury last month.
Both Cunningham, 26, and Maguire, 23, have been operated on by the same surgeon.
North End boss Alex Neil said: “Greg is doing well. He is working on his fitness at the moment.
“He has quite a bit of work to do – remember that he also broke his leg towards the end of last season which put him out for a period of time. We will get him back up to speed and go from there.” Maguire has had an operation on his injured hamstring but is in a leg brace, which won’t come off until he next sees the surgeon for a progress report.
Neil added: “It’s still early stages for Sean. All the lads are gradually getting better but it will take time.”
FINN HARPS OLLIE HORGAN is to stay on as Finn Harps manager.
The Donegal club was relegated from the Premier Division last season but Horgan will oversee their promotion push from the First Division.
Horgan has agreed a two-year deal to take him to the end of the 2019 season and there is an option of a third year.
Harps chairman Sean Quinn said: “It’s important that Ollie has got the two-year contract.
“The Board is looking forward to working with him to build a team that will be competitive in the First Division.”
Having brought Harps into the Premier Division via the playoffs, Horgan is relishing the chance to nail another promotion.
He said: “I’m pleased to have been in a position to sign a new contract.
“The hard work starts right away for me in trying to put a squad together for the new season. That will take a bit of time but it starts from tonight.”