With all the speculation surrounding a loan move back to Deepdale it's perhaps ironic that David Nugent is coming back to his former club this weekend, but if he does grace the turf in Sunday's FA Cup fifth round tie then it will be in the blue of Portsmouth and not the lilywhite of PNE.

Nugent is rated as an unlikely starter for the big FA Cup game, the striker only returned to training this week following a visit to the surgeon's table to sort out a nagging hernia problem, but if Nugent is fit then he will certainly enjoy the return to his old stomping ground.

"I can't wait to come back and see the lads," Nugent said.

" I've been speaking to a few of them already and I'm looking forward to the game. It's great to be able to come back and see the fans again. Things haven't been going too well at Portsmouth, I haven't been playing and I've just had an operation as well.

"Hopefully I might be fit for the game on Sunday, I've been running but it is still quite sore, hopefully the pain will die off before Sunday comes."

One of those old friends Nugent is especially looking forward to meeting up with is Sean St. Ledger, the rookie defender has been quietly talking up a loan move for his old mate and after his goal at home to Coventry last week St. Ledger even joked that he's chasing down the striker's goal tally. Unfortunately suspension for St. Ledger will deny him the opportunity of meeting up on the pitch.

"He might have a chance, I'm not playing at the moment," smiled the 22-year-old striker.

"That's probably the best goal he will ever score, I've seen the goal, it wasn't the best. If I got the chance to play against him I would have taught him a few lessons. He wants me to come back on loan, he's desperate for it, he misses me so much, but I'm sure we will have a drink together on Sunday afternoon."

So what is Nugent's thoughts on a loan return to Deepdale, the Portsmouth man diplomatically sidesteps the issue with his answer when asked: "I moved to the Premiership to further my career, it hasn't gone well for me so far, hopefully when I am fit and injury free I will get a few more chances and start popping the goals in like people know I can."

Nugent and his Pompey team-mates will be wary of a Preston team that have won their last four home fixtures but the striker will be desperate to score, even if he might not be celebrating.

"Preston have had a few good results lately, they are on a bit of a roll, they beat Coventry and they've beaten West Brom who were top of the league, so hopefully they can string a few results together and get out of trouble.

"I'm not going to take my shirt off and wave it around my head if I do play and score. There won't be no celebration, I've got respect for Preston fans, they were a great set of fans to me."

To read Nugent's exclusive lowdown on his Portsmouth team-mates pick up a copy of Sunday's special FA Cup programme for just £3.