Preston North End midfielder Josh Harrop's loan spell with Ipswich Town is not going to plan

A frustrating loan spell away from Preston North End for Josh Harrop took a turn for the worse when he was sent-off playing for Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
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The midfielder made only his third start for the Tractor Boys in their visit to AFC Wimbledon.

But his night came to an abrupt end after 28 minutes when he got a straight red card for a foul on Nesta Guinness-Walker.

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Harrop is now facing a three-match ban, leaving him with limited to try and impress.

PNE midfielder Josh Harrop in action for Ipswich TownPNE midfielder Josh Harrop in action for Ipswich Town
PNE midfielder Josh Harrop in action for Ipswich Town

The suspension will rule him out of facing his PNE team-mate Jayden Stockley on Saturday – Ipswich meeting Charlton at The Valley where Stockley is enjoying a far more successful loan period.

Harrop’s red card came just after Ipswich had let in two goals in four minutes, his dismissal leaving them with little chance of getting back into the game.

The 25-year-old joined them in January for the rest of the season in a bid to get a regular run of football.

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In the first half of the campaign Harrop had started just one game for North End in the Championship and came off the bench four times.

That was in addition to three starts in the Carabao Cup. The Ipswich loan was designed to be a ‘prove yourself’ one, the intention being to come back in the summer with a regular run of football under his belt.

Three starts and 10 sub appearances is not what he would have envisaged.

Ipswich are five points shy of the League One play-off places with six games left.

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Last summer Harrop signed a new contract at PNE carrying him through to June 2023.

It might be that a return to Deepdale with a new manager or head coach in place, could kick-start his Lilywhites career.

However, the Ipswich loan in League One doesn’t exactly install confidence that Harrop can find his form.

Two of PNE other loanees in the EFL had to make do with seats on the bench in midweek.

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Josh Earl was an unused sub for Burton Albion in their 3-0 win at Doncaster.

The left-back has only played four times for the Brewers since joining them on loan on February 1.

Teenage winger Ethan Walker was on the bench in Carlisle’s goalless draw at Newport County.

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