Midfielder Ryan Ledson eager to put Preston relegation fears to bed

The midfielder returned to action against Luton Town last week after five weeks out with a calf strain.

Although he got through 85 minutes with only limited training time under his belt, it was not an afternoon to look back on with any satisfaction.

The 1-0 defeat proved to be the end for Alex Neil, the Scot relieved of his duties the following day.

Ledson told the Lancashire Post: “I got a grade two tear in my calf in the Blackburn game last month.

“It was hard watching the lads when I just wanted to be out there on the pitch.

“Before Luton I’d only trained Thursday and Friday but I wanted to be back out to help the lads.

“I lasted 85 minutes, felt a bit rusty and now I can push on from here.

“Training during the international break will be important so that I can get back to full fitness.”

North End need Ledson at full sharpness ready for the final eight games of the season.

The three immediately after the break are against Norwich, Swansea and Brentford – currently first, second and fourth respectively.

Ledson: “We’ve got three of the biggest games of the season coming up.

“I’m really looking forward to those, there are no better games than to go and have a go.

“We’ve got to get ourselves right, if we don’t get results things can start creeping up.

“We have won one game in nine which for a club of our size and stature is not good enough.”

With skipper Alan Browne suspended for the Norwich and Swansea games over Easter, there will be plenty on Ledson’s shoulders in the midfield.

How interim head coach Frankie McAvoy shapes the engine room for his first match in charge, will be interesting.

Neil used Ben Whiteman next to Ledson in his final game, with Daniel Johnson playing as the No.10.

Jayson Molumby, who is on international duty with Browne in the Republic of Ireland, hasn’t started the last four games.

Paul Gallagher isn’t an option in midfield for now, McAvoy wanting him in the technical area in a coaching capacity.

Ledson said: “When we start back we have to pick up some points. If we are not winning a game, we’ve got to learn to see it out to get a draw.

“Just think if we’d held out in five or six of the games we lost to get draws. The table would look a lot better.”

Support us and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.