Pass-master Ryan Ledson is taking his chance in Preston North End’s midfield

Ledson has started nine of the last 10 league games going back to July – the one he didn’t start he came on in as a substitute at half-time.

North End manager Alex Neil has teamed him up with Ben Pearson this season, rather than viewing him as Pearson’s stand-in

With him allowed to push higher up the pitch, knowing that Pearson sits deeper to cover, Ledson has been involving himself well in PNE’s attacking play.

In the Championship he’s joint fifth in the highest number of key passes made.

Against Brentford last Sunday, the 23-year-old provided the assist for Brad Potts’ goal.

Ledson recently has also been on set-piece duty when Paul Gallagher hasn’t been on the pitch.

It was his corner which Ben Davies headed down for Sean Maguire to score the Lilywhites’ fourth goal at Brentford.

His has been a slow burner of a development since signing from Oxford United for £250,000 in June 2018.

The Brentford game was his 50th appearance in a Preston shirt which shows that he has had to show a degree of patience.

North End’s comeback victory at Brentford was a shock to the system for the London outfit.

They were the first away team to score four goals against the Bees in Thomas Frank’s two years in charge.

The only time previously Brentford had shipped four goals in the league under Frank, was at Deepdale in October 2018.

PNE won 4-3 that night in a thrilling contest.