The 8 Preston North End first team players whose contracts expire next summer - and where they stand

Preston North End’s list of players out of contract next summer reduced by one recently, with the news of Will Keane’s one-year extension.

But, the Lilywhites still have eight players who will be expected to feature in the first team fairly regularly this season. In addition to those, Patrick Bauer and player-coach Ched Evans are contracted until next summer - as well as youngsters Josh Seary (on loan at Larne), Kian Taylor, Kitt Nelson and Finlay Cross-Adair (on loan at Prescot Cables).

There is then first-year pros Tommy Davis, Cole McGhee, Kaedyn Kamara and Kacper Pasiek. Here, though, we take a look at the eight contract situations which will be in focus - as the campaign progresses. With a new manager to impress in Paul Heckingbottom, where do the players stand?

Freddie Woodman

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with North End’s number one. He is still very much the Lilywhites’ first choice, and that will remain the case for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign - assuming he stays beyond January and nobody else comes in. Woodman won Player of the Year in his first season at PNE, then had an up-and-down 2023/24 campaign. He appeared excited by the future under Paul Heckingbottom, when speaking last week. It will largely depend on what Woodman - who hails from London - wants to do. And of course, based on how his season goes, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that North End may look to replace him. At the moment, after a difficult afternoon at Oxford United, Preston just need to get their number one’s confidence right up and him back to his best.

Jordan Storey

The centre-back admirably got himself back in the picture at PNE, after being loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday in 2021/22. Storey, 27, is a steady operator at the level - he should comfortably surpass 200 appearances for Preston this season. He is entering his prime years, but the early signs are that this campaign - under Heckingbottom - will certainly test him. At right centre-back, there is now an onus on Storey to take the ball and play - while playing slightly higher up too. Whether that role suits Storey to the manager’s satisfaction, remains to be seen. There is, of course, the option to move him into the central defensive role - or a centre-back partnership. It could be a make or break year.

Liam Lindsay

The big Scot has been a mainstay in the North End XI for the last two seasons, nailing down his position in the middle of defence. For the reasons above, he may find the rest of this campaign more of a test as well. The occasional bad day does come around for Lindsay, but he has been one of the most consistent performers over the last couple of years. The 28-year-old will probably feel he has plenty of credit in the bank and is on course for a new deal, but with a new manager in the building it will need to be earned.

Andrew Hughes

It’s the Welshman’s seventh season at Deepdale and Hughes has been an ever-present for the vast majority of that time. Time is probably ticking, though, with regards to the 32-year-old being a first team regular. It feels inevitable that defence will be the area freshened up over the next couple of transfer windows, so the number 16 could see his role transition into a rotation one - or move on to pastures new. Given the injury issues that have cropped up, an eased workload could suit. Of course, Hughes will be determined to keep his place this season, perform to a high level and earn fresh terms. Time will tell...

Kian Best

Last season saw the teenager break on to the first team scene and earn a first call-up to the England Under-19 squad. Things all happened very quickly for Best, who is now aiming to force his way into Heckingbottom’s side. Left centre-back looks his most likely route into the team, so the defender is in direct competition with Hughes - after Greg Cunningham’s exit. There has been speculation around the defender on a couple of occasions, so it would make sense for PNE to tie Best down to a longer deal - even if he still has stripes to earn on the Championship stage.

Ryan Ledson

The number 18 is no stranger to strong midfield competition at Deepdale, and he certainly has that this season. Like Hughes, it is the Liverpudlian’s seventh season as a Preston player. Ledson has featured regularly over the last four years in particular, but you feel the contract decision will be based entirely on how this campaign goes for him. The midfielder appears to enjoy a challenge and proving people wrong, which he has had undoubtedly had to do during his time at Deepdale.

Duane Holmes

Another 50/50 one, as things stand. Holmes made a real early impact, after signing last summer. He was one of the stand out performers for PNE in the first few games, then found himself in and out of the side for the remainder of the campaign. He is fighting for a place in attacking midfield with Mads Frokjaer and Stefan Thordarson - while new recruits Josh Bowler and Jeppe Okkels are also vying for attacking roles in the team. Holmes is a dangerous player on his day and will feel an experienced head in camp, at the age of 29. But, he’s going to have to get himself in the team and show it.

Robbie Brady

The Irishman, despite the team’s struggles towards the end, finished the 2023/24 campaign pretty well - earning plaudits from the PNE faithful at last. The two-year deal given to Brady came in for questioning, back in the summer of 2022 - mainly due to his injury record. But, to his credit, he has kept himself fit and ensured strong availability. Brady turns 33 in January and has competition down the left flank, in Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Okkels this season. But, it will have been a boost for Heckingbottom to turn to him last weekend - and Brady is still featuring on the international stage. With regards to his PNE contract, there is no need to rush - but it wouldn’t be a great surprise if this is his final season.