Preston North End predicted team vs Luton Town as Paul Heckingbottom's first XI eagerly awaited
PNE host the Hatters on Saturday afternoon at Deepdale
Paul Heckingbottom will pick his first Preston North End team on Saturday, as the Lilywhites host Luton Town in the Championship.
It’s been a turbulent start to 2024/25 for PNE, with Ryan Lowe leaving after one game and interim boss Mike Marsh departing after last weekend’s loss at Swansea City. North End saw off Sunderland in the Carabao Cup, but both league games have ended in defeat.
Heckingbottom is the man tasked with getting Preston back on track, first and foremost. His arrival was announced on Tuesday morning and the Lilywhites have had three days of training with him, and new assistant Stuart McCall, at Euxton.
Standing in PNE’s way, as they return to home soil, is one of the three relegated clubs in Luton. Rob Edwards’ side have picked up one point from their first two fixtures - losing at home to Burnley and drawing at Portsmouth, last time out.
On the team news front, Ali McCann was pictured back in training this week - but will need to get up to speed, having missed all of pre-season. Heckingbottom is unlikely to come away from the wing-back system used by Lowe, but has assured he will look to make North End ‘more dynamic’ within it.
Senior players Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jeppe Okkels and Milutin Osmajic all got minutes into their legs on Tuesday afternoon, against Derby County in the Central League. Patrick Bauer, Kian Best and the returning Layton Stewart were also involved, along with PNE’s young guns.
It will be interesting to see whether Heckingbottom sticks with the back three used at Swansea, or whether there is a return in the offing for Jack Whatmough. Competition for places is rife in midfield, while Preston’s new boss has options in attack.
Predicted PNE XI vs Luton Town: Freddie Woodman; Jack Whatmough, Liam Lindsay, Andrew Hughes, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Ben Whiteman, Stefan Thordarson, Robbie Brady, Brad Potts, Mads Frokjaer, Will Keane.