Preston North End midfield reshuffle: Daniel Johnson set for return but Alan Browne look set to miss Cardiff clash

Browne is having to isolate having been deemed a close contact of a Republic of Ireland team-mate who returned a positive Covid-19 test last weekend.

The North End midfielder has tested negative himself since then but that won’t necessarily stop him having to self-isolate.

He’s played as PNE’s No.10 in recent games in the absence of Johnson who was nursing a groin strain – speculation of interest from Rangers also surrounded him a month ago.

Lilywhites manager Neil said: “DJ to be fair was making good progress just before the international break.

“But he’d only trained once or twice with us before the Brentford game which wasn’t quite enough.

“He trained with us on Tuesday this week and hopefully will do for the remainder of the week.”

Browne’s position has left Neil frustrated – not with the player himself but with the situation he’s in.

The fact the 25-year-old is a close contact of the player who tested positive was because he sat near him on the flight home from the Irish’s game in Slovakia.

Neil said: “I presume at the moment that Alan won’t be available but I’m not quite sure.

“We need to take medical advice although we’ve already had some discussions with the doctor.

“Alan’s test had come back negative and he’s showing no signs whatsoever.

“What is really frustrating is if someone is not showing symptoms and has tested negative, they still have to stay away and not be involved. We had the same thing with Jayden Stockley before the Norwich game.

“Jayden missed a big game when he didn’t need to.”

Neil has put his squad through their paces for the last two days at the new Euxton training ground.

They have a day off today before returning tomorrow for two days of build-up to the Cardiff game.

Emil Riis will join back up with the squad tomorrow after international duty, so too Sean Maguire.

Riis came on as a substitute in Denmark Under-21s two games during the international break.

He played the last 10 minutes of Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Finland in Aalborg.

Last week Riis got half an hour in the 3-1 win in Malta.

PNE’s trip to QPR on Wednesday has returned to a 7.45pm kick-off having initially been altered to 7pm.

It is to allow live coverage on the red button.