PNE can bank on Lindegaard

Lindegaard trained with the PNE squad for the first time yesterday after signing on loan from West Bromwich Albion.

He is the third loan keeper to have come under Kelly’s tutelage recently, following on from Sam Johnstone and Jordan Pickford.

The Dane’s debut for North End will come at Derby next Tuesday.

Kelly says his approach to working with Lindegaard, 31, will be slightly different to when he coached the younger Johnstone and Pickford.

“This reminds me a little bit more of when I was coaching experienced keepers with the Republic of Ireland squad,” Kelly told the Evening Post.

“When you are dealing with older, experienced keepers, it is more a case of getting them match-ready and analysing things with them.

“With the younger ones, you are helping with their development as well, providing them with guidance.

“Anders is coming into a club with a lot of ambition and is keen to be part of.

“He has got a memory bank of experience from playing in the Premier League and the Champions League for Manchester United, as well as internationally for Denmark.

“There will be a bit of rustiness to be ironed out with him not having played for a while at West Bromwich.

“With that in mind, it has probably worked out well that the Derby game isn’t until Tuesday.

“Anders can be bedded in with the squad – he knows a few of the lads already – and get used to the lovely Preston weather when you need a wetsuit on for training nearly every day!”

The chance to work with Pickford for the first half of the season was special for Kelly, so too was Johnstone’s brief return these last few weeks.

“A bit has been made about us getting through a few keepers of late,” said Kelly.

“With Jordan, I take the view of it being better to have seen him at Deepdale than not at all.

“He has left here and gone on to make his debut in the Premier League and FA Cup.

“Jordan made his debut for England Under-21s here which was a big moment.

“We are talking about him being one of the best young keepers in this country, if not in Europe.

“To have got the chance to work with Jordan and to have been part of his development, is very satisfying.

“It is the same feeling with Sam Johnstone.

“When he first came to us last January, we were not having the best of months.

“But Sam went on to play a key part in our promotion and it was good to have him back for the last few games.

“Unfortunately it was only a brief stay this time but we all enjoyed having him here.

“These two lads are only 21 and 22 so will around on the goalkeeping scene for a long time to come.”