North End’s ever-growing injury list can now field a team of its own, with 11 senior players ruled out for the New Year’s Day clash with Rotherham United at the New York Stadium.
The latest player to miss out is Irish international midfielder Alan Browne, who picked up a hamstring injury in training ahead of the Aston Villa game and is set to be touch and go again for the game against the Millers.
He could join Chris Maxwell, Josh Earl, Ben Pearson (missing his third of four matches through suspension), Ben Davies, Callum Robinson, Louis Moult, Josh Harrop, Brandon Barker, Sean Maguire and Billy Bodin as players who the manager cannot call upon for the trip across the Pennines.
On Saturday youngsters Jack Baxter, Adam O’Reilly and Ethan Walker were all included on the bench, with the latter two getting their debuts. They will again be part of the travelling party, with no other options available for Alex Neil.
For our hosts on the opening day of 2019, former North End stalwart Billy Jones came into the side for their defeat at Bristol City down at Ashton Gate, but he, along with Richie Towell, saw red for Paul Warne’s side and will miss the visit of the Lilywhites.
Ryan Manning is another who will not be available to the Millers’ boss, the QPR loan man being recalled to Loftus Road by his parent club.
Former North End youth team graduate Jamie Proctor, who would have relished playing against his boyhood club and fellow forward Kyle Vassell are also ruled out by injury.