Preston North End boss Alex Neil explains the absence of Jayden Stockley from the Lilywhites squad
Preston North End manager Alex Neil has explained that Jayden Stockley had to pull out of the squad just three hours before the draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Stockley was going to be in PNE's starting XI but happened to mention to the club doctor at the team hotel that his daughter had been feeling unwell at home.
Due to the Covid-19 protocol, he now has to self-isolate and transport had to be arranged for the striker to return to Preston from Norfolk.
Neil said: "Jayden unfortunately had to self-isolate from pretty much 12 o'clock today.
"That didn't help my prep work because he was going to start, that threw us a curve ball before the game.
"Daniel Johnson picked up a slight groin strain yesterday and he probably would have started.
"So our preparation for the game wasn't ideal.
"When Jayden is in the team we do a lot of work of things around him in terms of how we are going to play and how we are going to press because we have to adapt to it - him and Sean are two very different players."
As things stand, Neil thinks Stockley could have to self isolate for two weeks.
Stockley did test positive for Covid-19 in early June during twice weekly testing ahead of the restart.
Testing is not done in the EFL to that level this season but North End's squad will be tested on Monday ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Brighton on Wednesday night at the request of the Premier League opponents.
Neil said: "I'm led to believe it is two weeks but I don't know.
"We will get tested on Monday for the game against Brighton coming up on Wednesday as of their request because of Premier League rules.
"I would imagine if that comes back negative why he would have to isolate? But I don't make the rules.
"We had to arrange transport to get him home.
"What happened is that we were at the hotel coming down for food and by chance Jayden was speaking to the doctor and he mentioned his daughter hadn't been feeling well.
"It was from there that he was getting a taxi home.
"I said to Jayden if you are going to have those conversations have them after the game!"
North End left-back Josh Earl, currently out with a glute injury, is also having to self-isolate at the moment after having contact with someone with symptoms.