CLARKE BACK TO LEAD BIG PREM PUSH

CARDIFF

PRESTON 0 0

PRESTON captain Tom Clarke is determined to lead the Lilywhites to the Premier League after his injury nightmare.

Clarke helped Preston keep a clean sheet on his return after four months out with a knee injury.

This draw did little to help North End’s promotion chances, but Clarke (with City’s Josh Murphy, above) is desperate to add his weight to their campaign.

“I’m over the moon to be back, it’s been a really difficult period. I kept coming back, then breaking down again,” he said.

“It was a case of taking my time with it, not trying to mask it with injections. I had to think about myself, so I can give 100 per cent when I’m out there.

“I want to play in every game, but the coaches and physios were telling me to take my time. The difficult part was not being out there with the lads, who have been doing unbelievably well.”

Cardiff failed to register a shot on target, but Preston – now fifth in the table – failed to make their dominance count.

Sean Maguire hit the side netting twice in the opening stages, before setting up a clear-cut chance in the 24th minute. His disguised through-ball put Billy Bodin in on goal but Bluebirds keeper Neil Etheridge reacted to deny the Preston winger from close range.

And North End midfielder Alan Browne should have done better after Cardiff defender Curtis Nelson gifted him possession 30 yards from goal.

Nelson said: “We took a point and a clean sheet from it, so have to consider that as a good start to the festive period.

“We knew Preston would be a test for us, but we acquitted ourselves well.”