Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe would welcome a phone call from Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard about Cameron Archer.

The 20-year-old scored seven goals in 20 league games during a loan spell with Preston last season.

"What I will say, and it's all I'll say on it, if Cameron Archer becomes available, I'd like to think I'd know," Lowe said, per Lancashire Evening Post . "If I get a phone call saying he's available then great, if I don't, I'm not too concerned. I'm not running around, I haven't been waiting on players.

"Everyone knows how I feel about Cam. Until my phone goes, from their manager to say that he's available, I'm taking it as he is not available."

When asked if Preston could afford a return move for Archer after signing fresh terms at B6, Lowe added: "I don't know, that's not me to answer. I've said what I've said on it, until I get a phone call off Stevie saying he's available I'm going to take it as if he's not available. He's an Aston Villa player and that's where I'll stand on it.

"People will speculate and say what they want to say but ultimately if the phone rings we'll have something to talk about, if it doesn't - which I don't expect it to then - I won't. I can't really comment on it."