Middlesbrough face Preston North End in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at Deepdale, and the Lilywhites boss has been talking up a certain Boro striker.
Forward Jordan Hugill started his Championship career with Preston under Alex Neil, before moving to Premier League side West Ham United. He now plies his trade for Middlesbrough, on loan from the Hammers for the season.
Neil has spoke highly of Hugill this week in an interview with The Lancashire Post.
The Preston manager said: “Jordan is a good player, you don’t move for that amount of money if you’re not. He was in double figures for goals when he left and was a key part of how we played.
But with the striker returning to Deepdale, the idea that Preston would have knowledge of how he plays was played down by Neil.
“But he has moved on now and is at Middlesbrough. Does it give us any type of advantage in that we know what is coming? Not really.
“If a hurricane is coming and it is going to land on your doorstep, it’s not pretty or nice but you have to do something to deal with it. Jordan Hugill is a bit like a hurricane, flinging his arms and elbows around.
“The lad did brilliantly for us, we know he is going to be physical and we have to fight against that.”
It will be Hugill’s first game at Deepdale since his move to the London Stadium in January, and he will be hoping to start the game. However, Tony Pulis has confirmed Rudy Gestede is back in contention and Ashley Fletcher will also feature.
