Chris Neal has been patiently waiting for his first team chance at North End. Since Wayne Henderson picked up his back complaint, the St Albans-born stopper has deputised in the reserves and has sat on the bench in each of the last 11 Championship matches. He spoke to PNE.Com ahead of Leicester's visit to Deepdale about his form in the second string, pre-match preparations and what he expects from Tuesday's encounter.

Chris, you've played for a large period of time in the reserves this season, how do you feel you've performed?
I've been playing in the reserves for most of the season since Wayne's injury and it has been going well. There has been quite a young back four for most of the matches so it's been good to play behind them, help encourage them and it aids my experience too. It gives me the opportunity to be more vocal as I probably would be to some of the older pros here too. It's definitely been helping my game.

How does preparing for a reserve match differ from that of a first team Championship game?
I prepare exactly the same to be honest. Obviously I have been playing in the reserves but not the first team but there might be a time when I'm going to be called on so I think preparation is a massive part. We have our pre-match meal as usual and I try to get an early night the evening before and importantly get focused for the game.

Is it frustrating as a goalkeeper knowing that there is only one position in the team for you compared to other positions where you could have two or even three players selected?
It is definitely but that is part and parcel of being a keeper. Everyone who is not playing feels the same, but you just have to wait for your chance, keep working hard and put in the effort in training.

Our goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins is highly regarded. What do you feel he has brought to your game?
He's got strong ideas and the stuff he brings into training is really good. He mixes it up and we cover everything from short diving to long kicking and crossing. He's an all-round goalkeeping coach.

You and Lonners are good mates off and on the pitch so I imagine it is a friendly rivalry with you always pushing each other.
We've both been at the Club six or seven years together. It is a friendly rivalry but there is always that aim to get into the first team but at the moment Lonners is doing really well and I'm delighted for him and I'm backing him 100 per cent.

As a goalkeeper you must appreciate how good a penalty save that was on Saturday from Neil Mellor.
That's probably one of the best penalty saves I've seen for a long while and will carry on to be one of the best this year. I don't think you could really ask for much more from Mells and on another day that is going to be a goal.

We saw against QPR that a team without a permanent manager can show that extra bit of spirit. Do you expect the same against Leicester tonight?
I think Leicester are a different team. They haven't got a manager at the moment but they have a lot of good players and are backed by a big money chairman. I think they will be up there at the end of the season so I expect a hard game but the last few performances from us have been good and we've just been unfortunate not to pick up the points. We'll all be looking to go out there and put in a performance like we did against Southampton.

It's another Tuesday night match at Deepdale, so we have our proud unbeaten record to protect.
Hopefully we can continue that. Like I said, we are looking to put in another Southampton type performance because we feel there is certainly the potential to go and rout another team.

And finally, Leicester are certainly dangerous going forward as their three goals at Stamford Bridge suggested last week.
They are and they've brought in a few players like Collins John who showed he was a good player at Fulham. It is going to be a tough game but I think we have got the side to go out and win and again on Saturday at Hull. That would leave the team on a high and we can come back from the International break starting positive again.

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