Hugill missing because of injury says PNE boss

Alex Neil says Jordan Hugill's absence from the Preston North End team against Burnley was down to injury.
PNE boss Alex NeilPNE boss Alex Neil
PNE boss Alex Neil

The striker was subject of a £2.5m bid from Birmingham City last week, one which was rejected by PNE.

Birmingham are reportedly preparing to come back with another offer but that had no bearing on Hugill missing Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Deepdale.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He picked up an injury in the second half of last Saturday's friendly against Newcastle and watched the Burnley clash from the Invincibles Pavilion.

PNE left-back Josh Earl tackles Johann Berg GudmundssonPNE left-back Josh Earl tackles Johann Berg Gudmundsson
PNE left-back Josh Earl tackles Johann Berg Gudmundsson

North End manager Neil said: "He wasn't fit to play. It doesn't matter if there are any offers in for him anyway.

"The fact is, if I want him to play, he will play the games.

"Jordan has been a complete professional through this whole process.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"If I'm being honest, there is nothing to talk about, there are no offers in right now.

Jordan HugillJordan Hugill
Jordan Hugill

"What was put in was rejected and that is basically where we were.

"Jordan is an important player for this club, he was top goalscorer last year and he has performed well in pre-season so far."

Neil wants to do some incoming business ahead of the opening day game against Sheffield Wednesday on August 5.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has spent the last couple of weeks assessing the squad and now has a good idea of what he needs.

PNE left-back Josh Earl tackles Johann Berg GudmundssonPNE left-back Josh Earl tackles Johann Berg Gudmundsson
PNE left-back Josh Earl tackles Johann Berg Gudmundsson

"I am hopeful we will get some business done before the season starts," said Neil.

"In terms of the squad, we are getting to the point of making decisions about people.

"We are looking at areas we think we can strengthen."

North End's defeat to Burnley was their first reverse of pre-season, Jon Walters and Kevin Long putting the visitors 2-0 ahead before Sean Maguire pulled a goal back on his Preston debut.

Jordan HugillJordan Hugill
Jordan Hugill

Neil said: "I thought it was good work out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The first half was a little bit frustrating from us because I think we can perform better than that.

"To be fair we started really well and for the first 10 minutes we were excellent.

"We put them under pressure and put some good crosses in the box.

"But then I thought Burnley's physicality came into play.

"We played it side to side a bit too slowly without breaking the lines which was frustrating.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I was annoyed with the first goal because I didn't think it was a free-kick, I thought John Welsh came across and got a touch on the ball but the referee gave a foul.

"One of Burnley's bigger strengths are their set-plays and it caused us an issue all night if I'm being honest.

"They had five or six players over 6ft in the box and we are lucky to have two or three that size."

A big positive for Neil was Maguire's performance the striker introduced as a half-time substitute together with Kevin O'Connor who has made the same move from Cork City.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Looking at Sean, you can tell he is mid-season, he looked sharp and bright, his goal was excellent," said Neil.

"The one thing he did really well which I didn't expect too much was his link-up play.

"With a small striker, generally you expect them to stretch the game by getting down the sides but he made himself a handful, took the ball and linked it.

"Hopefully he can continue in that vein."