PNE midfielder on Millers' radar

Preston's forgotten man Ben Pringle could be a summer target for his former club Rotherham United.
Ben Pringle has found first-team chances limited since joining PNEBen Pringle has found first-team chances limited since joining PNE
Ben Pringle has found first-team chances limited since joining PNE

The midfielder has found regular first-team football hard to come by since July’s move from Fulham.

That has put the Millers on alert, Paul Warne dropping Pringle’s name into the conversation when he was named Rotherham boss last week after a lengthy stint as caretaker.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Warne was fitness coach at the New York 
Stadium when Pringle played for the Millers.

Asked about Pringle, Warne said: “I could possibly be interested.

“I’ve made a joke in the past that Pringle is my footballing son.”

Warne added: “I’ve got a lot of relationships with a lot of people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’ve kept in touch with virtually everyone who has played for us and then left.

“ If I think they can come back and do exactly what I want, then I’d welcome them back.

“I’m not saying Ben 
Pringle is top of my shopping list, but I wouldn’t rule him out, of course I wouldn’t.”

Pringle was considered one of the more high-profile pieces of business done by Preston in the close season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

North End beat a number of clubs to his signature when he was given the green light to leave Fulham.

The 27-year-old has started only seven league games and four in the League Cup.

His last appearance was as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in December.

The last time Pringle made the bench was for the January 31 defeat at Cardiff.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His four years with Rotherham were arguably the most productive of Pringle’s career.

He played 166 games and helped them to promotion from League One in 2014, the Yorkshire outfit beating North End in the play-off semi-finals.

Pringle has another two years to run on his contract at Preston.

Meanwhile, Football League clubs will have to name a ‘club-developed’ player in their matchday squad from the 2018/19 season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The rule is being brought in to try and increase the number of academy players reaching the first team.

A club-developed player is one who has been on their books for a minimum of 12 months prior to the end of their Under-19s season.

If a club do not include one in their squad, they will only be able to name six subs.