Preston North End manager Simon Grayson has admitted that he would "love" to re-sign Aston Villa youngster Callum Robinson on loan.
The striker scored five times in 11 appearances for the Whites earlier this season, before being recalled in November.
However, he has not since featured for the Premier League club and so Grayson is optimistic that he could bring the 19-year-old back to Deepdale when the transfer window reopens in January.
"I'd love to bring Callum Robinson back to the club," he told reporters. "But that's not our call, that will be when Villa decide if he's available. We might have to be patient.
"We've had a conversation but it's very difficult because Aston Villa want to keep their options open and see what they're doing. I fully respect that. We're asking the question because we like the kid and he did really well for us.
"If we get no reply then we'll move on to possible other options. It's part and parcel of what happens in the loan market when you try and get players in and then back."
Preston are currently third in the League One table, three points behind table-topping Bristol City.
