Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne has captained the Lilywhites for the majority of the games so far this season.
The No.8 missed the weekend’s trip to Watford through suspension, after accumulating five bookings, but will be back available for Tuesday’s clash with Jason Tindall’s AFC Bournemouth.
Speaking to iFollow PNE ahead of the game with the Cherries, the Irish international explained that his travelling with the team to Watford, along with other unavailable players, just shows the togetherness of the squad.
“I don’t like to miss games and that is the same with the other lads,” he said. “We travelled, just to watch the game, to be around the squad and be involved.
“It just shows the togetherness of the team. We just want to support each other as much as we can.”
Browne, along with Joe Rafferty, are free of suspension for the long trip south and he feels that the manager has not had a full hand to deal with for some time.
“I don’t think he has had a full squad since he has been here!” Continued the midfielder. “We have always had a lot of injuries, normally in one area of team in particular – one time it will be defenders and others in will be midfielders – so it is tough.
“As we have shown this season, particularly away from home, that people are capable of stepping in and being just as good as the people they step in for.
“I don’t think it is something to be worried about, but the last game definitely showed that we need a few numbers back – with Scotty [Scott Sinclair] playing wing back and Barky [Tom Barkhuizen] playing left wing back, which is not their natural positions.
“The gaffer had to fill holes for that game in particular, but hopefully it is an easier selection for him over the next few games.”
The game is another tough one, on paper, with the Vitality Stadium outfit having just been relegated after six seasons in the top flight, but despite the challenge, Alan expects the team to show their quality.
“It is a tough game, with back to back away games, but we have to play them at some stage of the season and I am in full belief that we can go and get the win.
“The travelling doesn’t get much harder than it has been this week, but hopefully we can get a result and then we try and get a run of results together. There are no easy games in this division, but they don’t get much harder than these two back to back.
“We want to bounce back as soon as possible. We have managed to do that – just not at home – but this is another away game.
“It is going to be a difficult game, they have a lot of quality, but so do we and hopefully our quality will show through,” he added.