Busy first week for Tyias

Tyias Browning in action for Preston at Barnsley on Saturday

The right-back played his part in PNE’s clean sheet at Barnsley, a game watched by his Everton Under-23s coach David Unsworth and Joe Royle who works as the Toffees’ professional development coordinator.

His debut had come at Cardiff last Tuesday, 24 hours after he joined on loan from Everton.

North End manager Grayson said: “Tyias did well for us again.

“He was up against a very tricky opponent in Ryan Kent at Barnsley, who has good feet and pace.

“Tyias will only get better as he gets more games and gains more experience. The defensive display on Saturday was good. We limited Barnsley to very few chances.

“With the number of goals Barnsley had previously scored, you would not have expected the game to finish in a goalless draw.”

Browning was brought in on loan on the penultimate day of the transfer window, predominantly as cover at right-back.

PNE made their move for him as Marnick Vermijl has a hernia and Alex Baptiste is currently sidelined by a knee injury.

Vermijl returned to the bench at Barnsley, having not made the trip to Cardiff.

Grayson explained that the hernia was likely to prevent Vermijl playing two games in quick succession but he would be available if games were more evenly spaced out.

Baptiste who injured his knee in training ahead of the FA Cup tie with Arsenal, is due back later this month.

At the other end of the pitch, there was a change of approach with Simon Makienok and Jordan Hugill paired together in attack.

It was the first time they had started a league game together, although the pair did start August’s League Cup win over Oldham.

For Makeinok, it was his first start since the New Year’s Eve clash against Sheffield Wednesday.

“I thought Simon did okay – he and Jordan worked hard,” said Grayson.

“Simon had trained well and waited patiently for his opportunity and I just felt it was right to start with those two.

“We talk a lot about getting good service to the strikers and Paul Gallagher put a good ball into him in the first half, which Simon put too close to the goalkeeper.”