Former Preston North End striker to miss out on Deepdale reunion with Hull City

Former Preston North End loan striker Liam Delap is to miss out on a return to Deepdale on Saturday.

Delap was on loan at the Lilywhites for the second-half of the 2022/23 season. He made 15 Championship appearances during his time in Lancashire but was limited to just one goal - which came in a 4-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Manager Ryan Lowe - back in October - branded Delap 'unfortunate', having made a prediction over him and Tom Cannon. The two young strikers arrived on loan and it was Cannon who made the biggest impact - with Delap limited to nine appearances from the bench.

Delap found his form at Hull City and has notched up seven goals and two assists in 26 games for the Tigers - but isn't expected to play against his former side at the weekend. In mid-January, he was said to be ruled out for up for a minimum of two to three months with a knee injury. There is at least a hope he will play a part before the season concludes.

"He's really good," Rosenior said Hull Live on February 19 when pressed for an update on the on-loan Manchester City forward.

"We're going to see Liam on Thursday, he's going to come in. He's coming in to see the lads on Thursday and Friday. That'll be brilliant leading into the West Brom game.

"He'll be in and around the players, which I know he's missed and we've missed him as well."

Saturday's much has huge significance on the play-off race with Hull currently occupying the fourth and final spo. Liam Rosenior's side are currently on 55 points and only three points separate them and PNE who are currently eighth.

The reverse fixture between the two sides finished 1-0 to Hull back in October with Jaden Philogene scoring the winner. Delap is Hull's only injury concern in an otherwise 'clean bill of health'.