It was time for a break for Preston North End duo Josh Earl and Paul Gallagher explains Alex Neil

Gallagher came off the bench in the 77th minute of the 1-0 defeat, while Earl was an unused sub.

Both players had started the previous four games, a run which began at Barnsley before Christmas.

North End manager Neil said: “Josh had started four games on the bounce, having not played since March.

“He had signs of cramp in the previous game against Coventry, so I felt Nottingham Forest was one too much.

“Josh had got through the majority of the Coventry game but I thought it was the right decision to drop him out.

“Gally was in a similar boat, against Coventry he had a lot of running to do, especially in the first half.

“I just felt against Forest the game would only open up later in the second half – the stats suggest that with Forest matches.

“Had we started Gally, he would probably have started to tire after 60 minutes or so.

“It was after that I wanted him on the pitch so I kept him in reserve until later. But for the goalie making that wonderful save at his left-hand side in stoppage time, Gally would have helped us get a point.”

Alan Browne missed the Forest game with a calf injury sustained against Coventry, one which forced him off early in the second half.

There was no Josh Harrop in the matchday squad either, an ongoing hamstring niggle appearing to be the issue.

Said Neil: “It’s a bit of a strange one with Josh, he’s been on and off training.

“He’s been coming out to train thinking it will be okay but then had to go back in because it’s sore.

“We had to take Alan off in the last game because of his calf and unfortunately his calf hadn’t really healed to the point where he could be involved.”

Neil is likely to take the chance to rotate the squad in Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Wycombe at Adams Park.

Those who have been on the bench of late are set to get a chance from the start.

North End have a clear midweek in the build-up and then next week too ahead of the Championship visit to Bristol City on January 16.

The only midweek game this month is the January 20 visit to Birmingham.

Two midweek matches are scheduled for February, at home to Watford and QPR.

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