Preston North End boss provides injury update on Manchester United loanee and addresses specualtion linking them to another Red Devils youngster

There were issues at wing back in midweek for Lowe when Alvaro Fernandez’s debut was cut short, having to come off at half time, after a scintillating first 45.

The Spaniard, on loan from Manchester United, registered two assists for Ali McCann to score twice but rolled his ankle in the dying moments of the half.

Though initially a doubt for the game this weekend, Lowe is confident he will be available for selection.

He said: “He's fine, he's walking round fine now. He's chomping at the bit to get out on the grass but he definitely won't be out on the grass today because Jacko (Matt Jackson, phsyio) won't allow it.

"It's settled down loads. It's nowhere near what people might have thought.

"He's wearing flip flops which is a good sign. He's got no strappings on which is an even better sign.

"He'll be with the physios doing little bits of extra work and we'll give him every possible chance to be available for the weekend.”

Elsewhere in the team, Sean Maguire remains out with an achilles picked up in the first pre-season game against Bamber Bridge but Bambo Diaby is nearing a return to action.

Diaby’s last involvement was the final pre-season game of the summer against Leicester City.

Lowe said: “Everyone else is fine, Bambo is back on the grass, he's looking fitter than he's been. It's important for us, Bambo came back and was wanting to impress and run through the pain barrier.

"He had a dead leg and some bone bruising but we shut him down to make sure he was right and fit rather than coming in and dipping back out.

“He dipped out of training a couple of times and we didn't want that to happen.

"I don't think he's with the group today but he's certainly on the grass with the fitness department. Saturday might be a little too soon but he should be available for next week.”

PNE have this week been linked with a move for Man United wing back Ethan Laird, with reports suggesting he had turned away from a move to Watford in favour of Deepdale.

When asked about the 21-year-old, and if there was anything in the reports, Lowe was clear and succinct in addressing the speculation – he said: “no”.