Preston North End

Chris Beardsley and Joel Byrom will be able to line up against Huddersfield Town on Monday night after the paperwork on their expected deals was ratified by the Football League in time to be involved against the Terriers.

The new No.20 and No.13 had been with the squad since the start of pre-season and played their full part in all the preparations, but the Club had been waiting ratification of their moves due to the new Fair Play rules which means the Club can only spend 65 per cent of its turnover on player wages.

Looking ahead to the clash with the recently promoted Yorkshire side Beardsley told PNE.Com: “It has been a long pre-season, I haven’t done one as long as this in a few years, but we have got all the fitness work in the games and we are ready to go.

“You want to win all your games in pre-season and head into the competitive season with the right mentality but this serious stuff starts now in the Capital One Cup against Huddersfield and then quickly onto the first league game against Colchester but the squad is ready. 

“Huddersfield are a team which has deservedly won promotion from League One so they must be ready to play in the Championship and that is where we want to be.  Monday’s game is a good benchmark so early on in the season. 

“When you put a brand new squad together it may take time to work but every single one of the lads have got the right attitude, the work that we need to do and we have come together well. 

“We all know the manager’s ways and what he wants and this will never ever be a Stevenage mk II, we are Preston North End, this is a brand new set of players with different attributes. 

“We are playing on a completely different type of stadium in front of more supporters and this is a brand new team and it is a completely fresh start for everybody. The lads have enjoyed pre-season, it is always going to be hard work as a professional footballer and we are coming towards the end of pre-season now. 

“I spoke to the manager and the chairman through the summer and I had a couple of offers from different teams in League One but obviously the size of the Club and the potential is the best in league. 

“The fan base can play such a massive part in the success that the Club has. Personally for me it was a no brainer knowing that how the manager is driven, how he works and the players he has signed, it should be a prosperous season. 

“You have to have a great vibe and a good feeling around the place. You want to have players who are willing to work hard and play for Preston North End.

“If fans are going to work from nine till five every week day then they want to turn up on a Saturday afternoon and watch a group of players which are committed to the cause and give everything for the team.“

Meanwhile Byrom, who missed the trip to Plymouth out of precaution, is all ready for the big kick-off. Speaking after the opening training day, where the squad interacted with a fantastic turn out of fans, he told the official website how much he was looking forward to getting started.

“I am delighted to be playing for such a huge Club,” he said. “It is the first time I have ever played a cup game to start off the season but it is a game the lads are all looking forward to and hopefully we will start with a win and push on from there. 

“Huddersfield are a team we are looking to emulate, a team which has won promotion from League One and now playing at a higher level. Hopefully we can progress through to the second round and take the result into the opening league fixture.

“A good thing for me when I joined the Club is that there were quite a few familiar faces before I even got here.  I already knew the coaching staff from my time at Stevenage but it has been good to meet all the new lads and we have bonded really well. We feel like we have been team mates for years.

“The manager has brought in some really good characters, we have got a nice squad together now which has gelled and hopefully we can kick on once the season starts.

“I was brought up in Oswaldtwistle and I played for Accrington Stanley. I moved to Stevenage three years ago under the gaffer and when he spoke to me about joining him at Preston I jumped at the chance. 

“I have loved every minute of it and I have come back home and hopefully we can have a season to remember.“

Remember, tickets for the game are just £10 for adults and £5 concessions, with cash turnstiles in operation on Monday night.