Preston North End fringe players who could step out of the shadows to play a part when the Championship resumes

Alex Neil will have a strongest Preston North End XI in his mind and every PNE fan has their own idea of those they would like to see out on the pitch when football restarts.
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However, the forthcoming nine-game gallop to finish the regular season is likely to see a few different line-ups as Neil delves into the squad.

Eight of the matches fall between June 27 and July 22, a run of four Saturdays and four midweek dates.

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In terms of using his squad, North End boss Neil will be able to name nine substitutes and bring on five of them.

Tom Bayliss and Ryan Ledson get instructions from Preston North End manager Alex NeilTom Bayliss and Ryan Ledson get instructions from Preston North End manager Alex Neil
Tom Bayliss and Ryan Ledson get instructions from Preston North End manager Alex Neil

The likelihood is he will have to rotate the starting XI to deal with the intensity of the fixture list after such a long break.

So who had the potential to step out of the shadows over the next few weeks and catch the eye?

Tom Bayliss could start pressing his claim, having had only limited game time since last August’s big-money move from Coventry.

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The 21-year-old midfielder has recovered from the ankle surgery he had in February.

Tom Bayliss in action for Preston against Bradford earlier in the seasonTom Bayliss in action for Preston against Bradford earlier in the season
Tom Bayliss in action for Preston against Bradford earlier in the season

Just prior to Bayliss being injured, Neil said he had come more into his thinking. He had liked what he had seen in training from Bayliss and felt he did well in the FA Cup tie with Norwich City.

Ryan Ledson is another midfielder to have had only limited game time to date this season. He has been something of an understudy to Ben Pearson, however others were moved into the holding role when Pearson was ruled out before the shutdown.

It could be Pearson needs a breather at some point and suspensions have to be taken into account.

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In terms of yellow cards, though, Pearson now needs to get to 15 to trigger a ban – he will restart the campaign on nine.

PNE winger Ethan Walker during pre-season training at Springfields last summerPNE winger Ethan Walker during pre-season training at Springfields last summer
PNE winger Ethan Walker during pre-season training at Springfields last summer

Teenager Ethan Walker could well be in Neil’s thoughts. The 17-year-old has featured in a couple of PNE’s warm-up games, his wing play and youthful energy offering Neil something.

The additional number of substitutes could well benefit Walker, young legs on the bench for the latter stages.

If changes are needed at the back – although Neil’s selection there tends to be consistent – Jordan Storey and Paul Huntington are both options for the middle.

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After being last season’s young player of the year, games have been in short supply for Storey this time.

Older head Huntington got a run of games in December and the centre-half will be ready if called upon.