Cameron Archer told by Steven Gerrard when to expect Aston Villa transfer decision

Cameron Archer will learn what the immediate future holds for him after Aston Villa's tour of Australia, but at the moment manager Steven Gerrard would be reluctant to let him leave.

The young striker took the Championship by storm last season, on loan with Preston North End. He netted seven goals for the Lilywhites in the second half of the campaign - including the winner on derby day as PNE beat their arch rivals Blackpool.

He is now back with his parent club after impressing for England under-21s over the summer. Archer has scored twice in pre-season for Villa - the latest of those in a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar. North End boss Ryan Lowe would love him back at Deepdale but the club are looking at other targets, given that Gerrard may well not sanction an exit this time.

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Reflecting on his PNE loan and what the future holds, Archer told Villa TV this week: "Sometimes I watch my (PNE) goals back. Playing at Preston last season and scoring goals, I've been watching the games back - especially against Blackpool. It was a big game and even better to get the win there as well - the place was rocking and I just loved every minute.

"Watching those goals back just gives me the confidence every time I step out on to the pitch. Watching where I have come from, I have loved it. He (Gerrard) said at the start that he will let me know whether I'll go out on loan or not at the end of the Australia tour, so I am going to try my best to impress him.

"I would obviously prefer to play here, but whether I need to go out on loan to play games - because that is what young players can need. So yeah, we will see. I just want to impress the gaffer and try to play a couple of games in the Premier