Airbus UK Broughton will welcome back their most experienced player and joint-top scorer for tomorrow night’s visit to Prestatyn Town (7.30pm).

Former Northern Ireland striker Steve Jones is back for the unbeaten Welsh Premier League leaders after a one-match ban and director of football Andy Preece says his return is a huge boost.

“It’s great news for us and it gives the lads a lift. He’s a great example to everyone and it’s a big boost for the club to have someone like him here. I still think there’s a lot more to come from him as well. He’s had a great career and he wants that to continue,” said Preece.

Ex-Crewe, Burnley and Walsall frontman Jones was capped 29 times at international level but is still hungry at the age of 36, according to his boss.

“It would be easy for him to go through the motions, but he’s as desperate as anyone to do well and to keep scoring goals,” added Preece.

Jones is expected to partner Chris Simm in attack, with the former Bangor man’s six-game suspension for ‘inappropriate and racial’ Twitter remarks – which he will not appeal – not due to start until Saturday.

Tomorrow’s hosts are currently third favourites for the title with league sponsors Corbett Sports, and Preece is expecting a tough game.

The Seasiders – currently fifth – started the season with three consecutive wins, including a 1-0 win over champions TNS, but their form has faltered and they’ve picked up just one point from a possible nine this month.

Preece says the fact his side beat Prestatyn four times last season – by scorelines of 6-1, 5-0, 4-0 and 4-1 – will count for nothing. The Wingmakers will again be without key midfielder Glenn Rule, who could be sent for a scan if an ankle injury sustained in the recent draw at Rhyl does not clear up.

“We did well against them last year but it will make no difference on Friday. They’ve brought in some good players and strengthened their squad,” he said.

“We’re both challenging for that second spot and we’ll both be up there. They’ve shown what a good side they are beating TNS – not many teams keep a clean sheet against them. They’re very well organised and it’s going to be a tough test. We’re in a great position and we’re there to be shot at.”

High-flying Airbus made it 16 points from a possible 18 this season on Saturday, with a resounding 3-0 home win against Port Talbot Town.

Mike Pearson and Simm scored inside the first 15 minutes and Sam Hart added a third with a quarter of an hour to go in what Preece described as his side’s ‘most polished performance of the season’.

He said: “We started really quickly and pretty much dominated the game. We couldn’t let up because Port Talbot are a good side in a false league position and they wouldn’t let us.”