Alex Neil has confirmed that North End will be without Andrew Hughes and Tom Barkhuizen for the rest of the season through injury.
The pair have played a key role for the Lilywhites this season and both have played a big part in the team’s impressive form of late.
The manager admitted his disappointment in losing two key players but says the focus is now on getting both players ready for next season.
On the news, the gaffer said: “It’s been disappointing. We’ve got scans and different things to have a look at the extent of the injuries.
“Unfortunately for both lads they’re not going to be right for the remainder of the season so the most important thing for them is to try and get ready for pre-season.
“We’re going to have to cope without them between now and the rest of the season which is disappointing considering their form but it’s part and parcel of the game.”
The PNE boss believes that these injuries can now provide the rest of the squad with a great chance to earn a place in the team.
“We just need to dust ourselves down and hope that the other lads can come in and do a good job." He continued.
“Young Josh Earl has come in and hopefully he can really kick on from now to the end of the season and we’ve got a variety of different players that can play in Tom’s position.
"They’ll be sorely missed but it becomes an opportunity for someone else and let’s hope they can take it.”