Preston defender Patrick Bauer has come back strongly after being left out on opening day

Bauer watched the 1-0 defeat to Swansea a fortnight ago from the bench as an unused substitute.

He was back in for the Carabao Cup win at Derby and kept his place to face Norwich last Saturday.

On Wednesday night against Brighton, Bauer was one of two players to stay in the starting XI – Joe Rafferty was the other – as Alex Neil rotated the squad.

Bauer was my starman against Brighton and got the best mark in the North End team from Whoscored.com, the football statistics website.

Whoscored.com also rated him as one of PNE’s best performers in the draw with Norwich.

Ideally, North End boss Neil would have sat Bauer out of the Brighton game in order to keep him fresh for the Deepdale clash with Stoke.

Paul Huntington’s ban for two yellow cards in the Carabao Cup, left Neil a centre-half short.

Likewise, North End were a full-back short due to Josh Earl being injured and also having to self-isolate.

Neil said: “A lot was made that Brighton made 11 changes against us but we made nine.

“I couldn’t make any more as unfortunately big Hunts was suspended, it would have been good to play him.

“It was disappointing to lose to Brighton but we were up against a good side – I can’t be too harsh on them.

“Yes they made 11 changes but the lad who scored their first goal cost £17m and the left-back cost £8m.

“That is what you are dealing with when you play a side from the Premier League, they have a lot of depth to their squad.”