Preston North End midfielder Ben Pearson is available for selection again for this weekend’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday and he is looking to end the home campaign with a win.
The former Manchester United man returns after suspension and told iFollow PNE that he is looking for as a high a finish in the table as the team can manage, by taking a brace of wins from their last two Championship fixtures.
“You don’t want to end the season on a bad note and a win can give you momentum into the summer,” said the North End No.4.
“When you look at injuries and suspensions, we have had a good season overall and we don’t want to end up 13th or 14th; we need to look for two wins in the last two games which should see us in the top ten, which would be a positive season given everything that has happened.”
‘Pearo’ is also aware of the extra responsibility he has in a disciplinary sense after missing the last three games.
“I have a responsibility to myself to stay clear these next two games,” he continued. “I can’t afford to miss games next year, so I will be concentrating on doing that, playing well and helping the team to try and win the next two games. I think a lot of focus will be on staying out of trouble.
“Ryan’s sending-off is not great for him, but it means I might get to play now. I am running that tightrope that I might miss next year, which is not a great situation to be in, but I know myself I can go games without picking up yellows, it is just that worry of miss-timing a tackle and getting a yellow. A few of mine this year you would not have thought were bookings, which is more of the worry for me.
“I have built up the reputation for myself and that needs to be gone next season, which I will be trying to do. My aim for next year is not to talk to the referees. In my position I will always pick up yellows, but my aim has to be to limit them.”
The opposition on Saturday are still within a mathematical shout of the Play-Offs and Ben expects a tough test: “They have been in and around it for a few years. It will be a tough ask.
“We haven’t been in the best of form. When you have nothing to play for, your motivation isn’t lacking, but it is natural for the foot to be taken off the gas a little bit – probably subconsciously, rather doing it on purpose.
“They have still got the Play-Offs to go for, but we have a chance in any game as long as we apply ourselves right, which I will make sure that I do,” he added.