Scott homes in on goal habit

SCOTT SINCLAIR says it’s about time Preston hit their straps at Deepdale.

North End boast one of the division’s best away records but have often let themselves down on home soil.

And Sinclair knows if Alex Neil’s men can improve their form at home then the play-offs will be within their sights.

Ex-Celtic winger Sinclair (above), who has scored just once at home compared to seven on his travels, said: “For me personally, scoring away seems to have become a habit. Hopefully I can bring that form to the home games and we can keep winning.

“The position we are in at the moment, all the teams above us will be looking over their shoulders, so it is for us to keep pushing, keep winning and put the pressure on them.”

Preston host Reading with boss Alex Neil aiming for a repeat of his side’s eye-catching 3-0 win in the reverse fixture in November.

Neil acknowledged his side were fortunate to emerge with such a startling result and praised Veljko Paunovic’s promotion-chasing Royals.

Neil said: “I am not sure it was a 3-0 game. We played well, were a threat and got our goals at the right times, but equally they had some chances in the game.

“They have got some players back who weren’t available at that point, which makes them stronger, so it is going to be a tough match.”

Reading rely heavily on 14-goal striker Lucas Joao, but Neil added: “They have got a lot of guys who can’t even get into the team. In particular the attacking options they have are a big, big threat.”