NORTH Tyne footballer Brad Potts returned from injury to help Preston North End to a crucial 1-0 win over Birmingham City in the Championship on Saturday.

The midfielder, from Wark, joined the Lilywhites from League One club Barnsley during the January transfer window, and has played a big part in their promotion push.

Potts played a central midfield role, and struck the wall from a free kick, before he picked up a knock and was substituted on the hour mark.

A dramatic winner from Sean Maguire in the final minute of injury time saw Preston move level on points with sixth-placed Aston Villa, and on the fringes of the play-off positions.

Potts has contributed two goals from 10 appearances so far, and is fast becoming a popular figure at Deepdale after making the move from Yorkshire to Lancashire.

It’s a big month for another of the district’s professional footballers.

Sunderland captain George Honeyman, of Prudhoe, was sent off in the closing stages of the Black Cats’ away clash with Wycome Wanderers, which finished 1-1.

Although he will serve a one-match suspension, the midfielder will be available for Sunderland’s English Football League (EFL) Trophy final against Portsmouth, on Sunday, March 31.

Honeyman has been a key player for Sunderland this season, making 31 appearances so far, scoring six goals.

The League One side are on course for promotion. They currently sit third in the league with a game in hand on the two sides above them, Barnsley and Luton Town.