How highly does Alan Browne rate Preston North End team-mate Ben Pearson?

Pearson was excellent in the 1-1 draw with Swansea at Deepdale and Browne – who has skippered the side in recent games – thinks that is par for the course.

The pair were North End’s holding midfielders against Swansea and now have their focus on Saturday’s visit to Wigan Athletic.

Browne said: “Ben is class, everyone knows what he is capable of in terms of quality.

“It is about him showing that more consistently and at times Ben needs to give himself more credit than he does.

“He can dominate a game on his own and I’m always telling him that.

“I still don’t think what we saw on Saturday was Ben at his best, there is more to come. He is a fantastic player and we are lucky to have him.”

Browne, 24, has worn the captain’s armband for the games against Charlton, Barnsley and Swansea.

With Paul Gallagher out injured and Tom Clarke on the bench, the responsibility to lead the team has fallen on his shoulders.

It is a role the Republic of Ireland international is proud to have.

Said Browne: “In our team you have to be a leader with or without the armband.

“It is an honour to have it, as is playing in the team.

“What it doesn’t do is put pressure on me or changes my game in any way.

“I’m pleased to have been entrusted with the job when Clarkey and Gally aren’t playing.

“I’ll be honoured to be the skipper when I’m asked to do it by the gaffer.”

North End will head down the M6 to Wigan unbeaten in four games. A continuation of that consistency is needed as they seek to challenge for a play-off place.

Browne said: “I always thought we would get through the bad patch we had.

“Every team has them and hopefully that is ours done and we can kick on from here.

“We need to accumulate as many points as possible and see where that takes us.

“Wigan is a big game. They had a good win at Leeds at the weekend so will be in high spirits and confident.

“We’ve been in good form and are confident, so we’ve got to approach the game in a confident manner. We’ll have a good support there.”

Browne became a dad at the end of January, baby son Hugo keeping him busy away from his football duties.

He said: “It’s been brilliant, I’m still buzzing off it and not getting as much sleep.

“It changes your life and it make you even happier to go home to your family and son.

“Being a dad is something I’m very proud of.”