Ryan Lowe confirmed Brad Potts is back in training and has a chance of making the squad for North End’s fixture against Stoke City.
The right wing-back has been absent for the last four games through a hamstring injury, having previously only missed one match this season via suspension.
He’s expected to be available for next weekend’s trip to Plymouth Argyle, but he could also be involved on Saturday when the Potters come to Deepdale.
As well as confirming the squad which faced Hull would be available again versus Stoke, Ryan added: “Pottsy will join that squad; he’s training today (Friday). Whether he’s right or ready for the game we’ll see.
“For us we’ve got to make sure we keep the lads fit and ready to go. Whether that’s 22 or 23 or 24, we’ve got a big squad at the moment. It’s only Ched [Evans] that’s not training and we want that to continue because as you’ve seen in April there’s going to be loads of games – especially with the Southampton game going to get rearranged around about April. It’s important we keep the lads fully fit and available.
“We haven’t missed him (Potts) and that’s fair play to Browney (Alan Browne) who’s gone in there and performed well to the levels expected, and to the standards Pottsy’s set and the standards all the players set.
“Once they’re in there they want to stay in there. Pottsy’s bust a gut to get back this weekend. We weren’t expecting him to be back until next week so that’s an added bonus.
“Browney’s been fantastic in that position and long may that continue. What we’ve got is a great squad who want to compete with each other on a daily basis, and if they keep doing that there’ll be opportunities for them.”
North End head back to Deepdale following the postponement of the midweek away trip to Southampton.
The Lilywhites will be looking to continue the good form of late, which has seen the team go seven unbeaten, and no team has left PR1 with three points yet in 2024.
“We want to make sure we keep building on it,” added Ryan. “The performances and results have been great at Deepdale.
“Whoever you’re playing against it’s no different. We’ve just got to make sure we turn up and do the right things, and we’ve been doing that.
“The attitude and application which I’m massive on has to be the same. You can’t underestimate any team.
“Stoke have got some fantastic players and can turn it on at any point. What we’ve got to do is worry about us first and foremost, and we’ll pay them the respect they deserve because they are a good team with good players and they’ve got a fantastic manager.
“But it’s about what Preston North End players do on Saturday afternoon.”
There will be a few familiar faces coming to Deepdale this weekend, with PNE legend Paul Gallagher in the dugout and former Player of the Year winner Daniel Iversen in between the sticks.
The gaffer will also be coming up against his former assistant Steven Schumacher, who became Stoke City head coach in December 2023.
As they head into the final ten matches of the season, they’re still fighting for their place in the Championship, as they currently sit 22nd in the table.
Ryan said: “They’re not going to come and just lie down. They’re fighting for points and so are we, in a different way. We want to keep climbing the table.
“They’re fighting for points and need to get out of where they are, and I’m a big believer that they will eventually.
“Schuey’s a fantastic coach. I know and believe that they will get themselves out of that little bit of rut they’re in. They’re not in bad form because they’ve been performing well, just the results haven’t been good for them.
“I’ve said to our lads and made no mistake in telling them that it’s going to be a tough encounter. We know that.
“But we’ve got to worry about what we do and what we’ve been doing of late. If we continue doing that then I’m always confident in the group.”
