Mellor targets improvement

Preston striker Neil Mellor has conceded his form has not been good enough for the Lilywhites since he made his return from injury. The 26-year-old has not started a game for the Lilywhites in nearly three months since facing his former club Liverpool in the FA Cup and finds himself down the pecking order behind Jon Parkin, Stephen Elliot and Chris Brown. Mellor, who has netted nine times this season, accepts he needs to take his chances if he is to force his way into Alan Irvine's plans. "I won't make any bones about it, my form has been disappointing since the injury and the operation," Mellor told the club's official site. "I have set the standards for myself and I have been way below those standards. I've been working hard on the training pitch to put that right and I finally think it's coming together." And with Preston pushing for a play-off place with the season nearing an end, Mellor is keen to take advantage of every minute of first-team action he is given. "If I get an opportunity in any of the six games then I am hoping to make a positive impact," he added.