Graham Alexander provides Preston North End injury update on Lewis Gibson, Alfie Devine and Liam Lindsay

Graham Alexander has revealed Lewis Gibson underwent a ‘procedure’ for a hernia on Saturday and also explained the fitness issue Alfie Devine has been struggling with.

Preston North End earned their first point under Alexander on Saturday with a battling draw against West Brom.

Andrew Hughes deservedly put the home side in front, but Aune Heggebo knocked them back just four minutes later.

Alexander’s options were severely depleted due to injuries, especially in defence with Gibson and Liam Lindsay absent, while Jordan Thompson missed the match through suspension.

Gibson pulled out of the squad to play Wrexham last week despite travelling to Wales but the club were still awaiting the full prognosis on his injury on Wednesday. The defender is suffering with a groin injury and a hernia, and had a procedure on Saturday to fix the latter.

While the hernia is not expected to keep Gibson out for longer than he already was, it’s still not clear how long he will be out of action for.

Speaking to The Post after the game, Alexander said: “Gibson's had a procedure today. He's got a hernia, so I think he's had that done today.

“I don't think it extends his potential return, I think it was the same sort of estimate.

“It was something to do with his groin, we thought it was a particular length of time. Jacko [Matt Jackson, Head of Medicine] said that the procedure won't extend that.

“I can't tell you off the top of my head [estimate of how long he will be out.], to be honest with you.”

Lindsay started at Wrexham but had to go off before the hour with a dead leg. He was not involved at Deepdale but there’s optimism he could be back next week.

On Lindsay’s condition, Alexander said: “We're hoping Linds might be able to train next week at some point.”

In further good news, Caleb Wiley was named on the bench after his spell out and Ali McCann returned to training on Friday following his hamstring injury.

Graham Alexander explains Alfie Devine substitution

Devine was taken off at half-time against West Brom despite a bright first 45 in his favoured central position.

Alexander said Devine had been struggling with a calf problem this week, so he substituted him as his output had begun to decrease and to ensure he didn’t suffer a further injury.

Alexander said when asked if the change was enforced: “It was my decision but he had been struggling with a calf this week.

“He came off last week with a tight calf, he hasn't trained fully this week. He came in before the other lads in the warm up before the game, wanting some soft tissue work.

“We just watched his data deteriorate towards the end of the half. It was touch-and-go whether to leave him until half-time because I didn't want to use a sub up, obviously I didn't want him to pull a muscle or cost us anything in the game.

“Andy [Moran] was really close to starting anyway, we knew before the game and then once I realised Alfie definitely wasn't going to complete the game and was maybe putting our performance at risk with the physical output, Andy was 100 per cent the right decision to bring on.”