Everything Paul Heckingbottom said on Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick's style and Emmanuel Latte Lath

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom has plenty of admiration for Middlesbrough, but believes his side can cause problems at the Riverside.

That is where the Lilywhites head on Saturday, as league football resumes following the international break. Michael Carrick’s side have seven points from their first four games of the campaign, while North End are on three.

Preston were beaten at Oxford United in their last outing and Heckingbottom is keen to bounce back, after a valuable fortnight on the training pitch. PNE are going up against a side tipped to be pushing for promotion, but one their manager feels he knows plenty about.

“They are a good side,” said Heckingbottom. “I have watched four of their games now. Nothing has changed too much in how Michael wants to play and set up. I have seen that over the last couple of years. Cardiff is a good example, where Cardiff thought they were well in the game but Boro’s quality in that final third won them the game.

“Then they showed another side, probably, against Swansea at home. Swansea did what they do... passed the ball and dominated possession, but had very few opportunities. Boro were resolute and created a lot of chances at the other end. So, yeah, they have shown both sides of it. They would probably have liked more points from the games they’ve had, but that is football.

“So yeah, nothing is surprising me with them. I expect them to be strong... most people do. You can see the quality in their team, particularly in that final third when they are attacking. I think we have got enough to hurt them. But, you look at the Oxford game, we could’ve made it a hell of a lot easier for ourselves, if we’d been further in front.

“We’ve got to go into every game believing that and forcing the issue. We will create things against them and we’ve got to try and limit what they create. It’s a good chance for us, against a team a lot of people fancy to be up there. I like lots of things they do, but I’m excited about what I think we can do. The preparation has been good, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Boro have an abundance of attacking talent throughout their squad, with Emmanuel Latte Lath the stand out marksman at the club - having netted 16 goals in the league last season. Ipswich Town were linked with a move for the forward, late in the summer transfer window. Middlesbrough managed to keep him though and Heckingbottom knows Preston have to keep the 25-year-old as quiet as possible.

“Yeah, he’s lively,” said PNE’s boss. “He’s got lots of good traits inside the box. He likes to get round the back and out of the eyeline of centre-backs. He likes a little run to the back post, but he’s sharp, lively and energetic. When he settled, he went on a really good goal scoring run. You can see why clubs are looking at him. There is an athleticism and physical quality required to play in that top league now. He has shown them, and that is what clubs will be looking at as well. That, at his age, there’s still more to come.”