Preston North End manager Alex Neil says that places are up for grabs as he selects his side for their opening home game of the 2019/20.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the clash with Paul Cook’s Wigan Athletic, the manager said players who impress had a chance to come into the side after the Millwall defeat on the first weekend of the season.
He is without Ryan Ledson, who is suspended for the final game of his four-match ban, going back to the clash with the Latics at the DW Stadium back in April.
Summer re-signing, David Nugent, is also going to miss the game. The striker has only played 45 minutes since his summer knee operation and felt a tight calf after a behind closed doors game with Salford City on Tuesday and will not be available for the weekend.
Tom Bayliss and Andre Green were other starters against Graham Alexander’s side in midweek, along with Billy Bodin and Daniel Johnson, all of which will push for a place in the starting XI for the local derby.
Paul Cook’s side had an impressive opening day win against Cardiff City, as they came from behind to beat the Bluebirds 3-2 at the DW Stadium.
They have been busy in the summer and further added to their options with the signing of Kieffer Moore from Barnsley earlier in the week and the new Latics No.27 will go straight into the squad for the clash with PNE.
Since our game in April, there have been plenty of changes to the squad at Wigan, with new goalkeeper David Marshall between the sticks on the opening day and Jamal Lowe also involved.
Leading the line for them against the Bluebirds was former North End favourite Joe Garner, who will compete with new signing Moore to be the focal point of the attack against PNE.