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Nolan gets PNE green light
Irish starlet Eddie Nolan has been given the green light to finish the season as Preston's left-back, even if Callum Davidson is declared fit.
The 20-year-old rookie earned a glowing tribute from manager Alan Irvine and fellow defender Sean St Ledger this week for the way he has coped with Championship football.
And veteran defender Davidson was told in no uncertain terms that he could struggle to unseat the Republic of Ireland Under-21 skipper from his favourite position for tonight's televised trip to Birmingham and next weekend's final league match at home to Queens Park Rangers.
"Callum is such an important player for us and any time that he is fit he is certainly in contention," the Deepdale boss told the Evening Post.
"But we have also got to consider the form of Eddie.
"He has been absolutely outstanding for us for most of the games he has played, certainly recently.
"He has not just defended very well but he has also created chances at the other end.
"He will take some shifting from the team right now."
Nolan, a centre-half by upbringing, has played all across the back four this season since arriving from neighbours Blackburn Rovers.
But most of his 20 appearances for North End have come at left-back as stand-in for the injured Davidson.
Now, Irvine admits he will find it difficult to take him out of the starting line-up to accommodate one of the squad's most experienced players.
Nolan made his debut as a substitute for Billy Jones against Doncaster in December while still on loan from Rovers.
His first start came four days later in the televised home game with Birmingham.
Team-mate St Ledger said this week: "I've got to give a special mention to Eddie because he has been brilliant since he came in.
"He is playing out of position, but he is a cultured footballer with two great feet."
Full story in Saturday's Evening Post
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Weather for Preston
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
