CRAIG Davies hopes his weekend hat-trick for Preston can send them hurtling towards the play-offs in top form.

The Wanderers striker, on loan at Deepdale, scored his third senior treble in a 6-1 win over Carlisle United.

Preston are assured of a play-off spot with four games remaining but the Wales international heads into Friday’s game against automatic promotion-chasing Brentford hoping to build on his goal-scoring form before a summer return to the Reebok.

“I’m happy to get a hat-trick in training,” he smiled. “I’ve got the team to thank for that. We’re just looking to get that momentum and take it into the play-offs because, let’s face it, anything can happen there.”

Preston boss Simon Grayson is also glad to see the 28-year-old return to scoring form after a period out of the side.

“We brought Craig Davies to this club because he is a good footballer and the strengths he has got,” he said.

“He’s probably been a little up and down with his performances over the last few weeks.

“He has been in and out of the team, but you could see his confidence go up once he’d got the first goal.”