Calvin Ramsay is on course to win his fitness battle to make his Preston North End debut against former club Aberdeen at the weekend.
Liverpool right-back Ramsay has joined Championship Preston on a season-long loan from the Anfield club.
The 19-year-old is battling back from a knee injury that ruled him out for the final few months of last season.
Aberdeen face Preston at Deepdale on Saturday and Ramsay recently said he is battling to be fit to face his former club.
The Dons received a club record transfer fee of £4.5million from Premier League Liverpool for the right-back last summer.
That fee could rise to £8m with achievable add-ons for the teen who signed on at Anfield until summer 2027.
Ramsay endured a frustrating first season at Liverpool having suffered a stress fracture in his back at the start of his time at the six-time European champions.
On returning to fitness, he featured against Serie A giants Napoli in the Champions League and started a League Cup game against Derby County.
However, he then suffered a knee injury in February which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Preston manager Ryan Lowe confirmed to the Preston North End official website Ramsay could make his Preston debut against Aberdeen.
Asked which players would be returning from injury, Low said: “Calvin, hopefully, against his old team, which would be nice.
“He is on the grass doing fitness stuff, but will join in (training) on Friday.”