Ben Pearson, Declan Rudd and Daniel Johnson catch the eye in snapshot Preston North End fans’ poll

The Deepdale trio featured prominently when I asked PNE fans on Twitter who had been their player of the year so far this season.

Pearson was at the top of the pile but goalkeeper Rudd was not far behind, with leading scorer Johnson polling well too.

Although football is not anyone’s priority at the moment amid the Covid-19 pandemic, sport debate can still provide a welcome distraction.

It will be with keen interest too that supporters wait for news on a possible re-start timetable for the fixtures.

North End have nine more games in the Championship once the 2019/20 campaign gets going again, with a return sometime in the summer a possibility.

Pearson being the pick of the bunch for many fans so far this season is not a surprise.

The midfielder has been the heartbeat in many games from his deep-sitting role.

He has displayed a good passing range and got his first goal in three years when netting against Barnsley in October.

Pearson has also taken steps to improve his on-pitch discipline.

While he has been booked nine times, the threat of suspension for 10 cautions has now gone.

Last season, Pearson was sent off three times but has avoided a red card this time.

The 24-year-old missed the last two matches before the shutdown because of a hamstring strain.

A quicker-than-expected recovery might have seen back in time for the Derby game which should have been played last Saturday. Rudd 
has caught the eye of many fans as his displays have got stronger as the season has gone on.

His position means he will never be everyone’s cup of tea but there is a general view that Jonathan Gould’s arrival as goalkeeper coach has been a big help.

Johnson has scored 11 league goals in 26 starts, six of those from the penalty spot.

With a decent number of assists too, the 27-year-old has been a key figure in Preston’s attacking play.

Alex Neil moving him to play the No.10 role in the second game of the season proved a big decision, with Johnson revelling in that attacking role.

North End did struggle for a spell when Johnson was sidelined for seven weeks with a knee injury.

His return to action in January coincided with the team returning to form, the midfielder scoring in the wins against Barnsley and Wigan Athletic.