Liam Delap believes he will "one hundred percent" return to Manchester City a better player this summer, despite enduring final-third frustration while out on loan.
The highly-rated striker joined Stoke City last August, but then made the mid-season Championship switch to Preston North End - with Lilywhites manager Ryan Lowe swooping in for his services.
Delap remains on the hunt for his first PNE goal with two matches left to play - unless the Deepdale outfit make an unlikely late break into the top six. The City man did play a huge role in North End's last-gasp leveller against Blackburn Rovers last weekend, though, and reflected on his time in Lancashire post-match.
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"I think it's been difficult at times and it's been good at times," he said. "But it's been a great experience. As a young player, you need this sort of experience in your career.
"It has been a very good six months for me. Although I've come into men's football for the first time properly, it's been great. I have really enjoyed my time here. It's a good group and the togetherness is there - they have welcomed me with open arms and I have been pleased with that.
"It's hard being on the bench, but it's part of football and you always have to be ready to take your chance and opportunity. You just have to prepare right and prepare as if you're playing because you never know what's going to happen.
"I think obviously compared to academy football, the strength, the physicality and the know-how of how the game is played is a lot better. So I think it has improved me in that sense. Every game, the opposition are all experienced players. Every team has a different style of play, so every team I play in will give me a different experience of different playing styles. It is only going to help me and improve my knowledge."
It'll be a busy summer for Delap, with a return to City and the chance to showcase his improvement in the pipeline. He also is in the frame to head away with England Under-20s to the World Cup in Argentina. Having never played football in that part of the world, it's an experience he is excited by. Before all of that, he's fully focused on the 180 minutes left with Preston.
"We won the Euros last summer and we have got a really good group, so hopefully we can go and do the same again this summer," he added. "I think the focus is the play-offs at the moment. The most important thing is just to focus on the next game - Sheffield United, who are a tough opponent. We go away, do our homework on them and come out on Saturday firing to try and get three points."
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