Manager Billy Davies has hinted that the young striker could figure in North End's play-off games after he recalled the player from his loan spell at The Shrimpers and so denied the League Two club the chance to play him in their own play-off campaign.
"Alan has got a good bit of experience at Southend and gained some good match fitness but now we've got him back to bolster our squad for the remaining two and hopefully three matches," Davies told the official Preston website.
McCormack scored two goals in eight appearances during his time at Roots Hall.