Chaplow makes us stronger - Irvine

Alan Irvine is confident fit-again Richard Chaplow can inspire Preston to a Championship play-off push.

The midfielder returned to action from a hamstring injury sustained in September in last weekend's 3-1 Championship win over derby rivals Blackpool.

Irvine believes the former Burnley and West Brom player's return can make Preston stronger in advance of the second half of the season.

The Deepdale boss said: "Richard went out injured after winning the Championship Player of the Month award and he's a very important player for us.

"It's great to have him back and available because it just makes everything else stronger.

"Your training is stronger every day when your best players are available. The team you can put out is stronger and the bench is stronger."