SUFFERING striker Richard Cresswell is determined to re-pay his gaffer's faith in him during his recent barren spell in front of goal - starting this weekend against West Ham.

The former Sheffield Wednesday striker, with just two goals to his name this season, insists the goals will come - and his recent lacklustre spell hasn't come about through lack of trying.

Cresswell missed Saturday's 3-3 draw against Reading in the FA Cup through suspension, and now hopes to crash straight back into the side and mount a challenge to become the club's top scorer for the third season running.

Preston's number 25 said: "I just try to keep going and working hard. I've been top goalscorer here for the past two seasons, it's not been happening for me this year, but I'm sure my form will come back."

Along with next Tuesday's FA Cup replay in Berkshire, North End face West Ham, Sunderland and Wigan in what is surely the toughest month of the year so far. That run of games at the start of the season left North End with just one point - making for a poor start which they have done well to overcome.

Cresswell added: "It's a big month for us and I need to hit form. I've not scored as many goals as maybe I should have, but strikers go through these things and it is those who come out stronger who prove to be the better players.

"I've laid a few on for other players and hopefully that will be repaid," he told the club's website yesterday.

Cresswell will probably return to the side alongside on-song Ricardo Fuller for this Saturday's away day in London - assuming that is, the Jamaican hasn't been snapped up by one of the many 'big guns' apparently wanting to lure him away from Deepdale.

With 14 goals in the league and two more in the FA Cup, Fuller has certainly put himself in the shop window.

Craig Brown is desperate to hang on to his star striker and many fans believe the club's ability to make it into the Premiership rests on keeping players like Fuller.

Middlesbrough, Everton and Fulham are among the teams to have been linked with Fuller.

Brown admits the club may find it hard to resist a 'silly offer' but has refused to say what that is - other than to say that it would have to be a lot more than £2million.