Preston North End retained list: When does it have to be published? Who stays and goes?
Clubs up and down the EFL are announcing which players have been released
Preston North End’s retained list must be submitted by Saturday, May 16.
Out-of-contract players must be notified about their futures by the third Saturday of this month, with terms of any new offer put in writing. The only exceptions are for clubs competing in the play-offs.
After the last game of the season, manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “We had a discussion this week. I'm not privy to the outside discussions. I don't do that, so I’ll catch up with Peter, Craig, Ian - whoever I need to tomorrow - and then we can finalise everything.”
Dai Cornell, Jamal Lewis, Andrew Hughes and Robbie Brady are out of contract. Brad Potts, as per an FA transaction document, looks to have triggered an extension - though the club’s retained list will confirm that for definite. Youngsters James Pradic and Felipe see their deals expire this summer, while Noah Mawene has already announced his exit via Instagram.
The Lancashire Post reported towards the end of the season that PNE had opened talks with Hughes, and Heckingbottom went on to suggest he would like to keep the Welshman on board. Jamal Lewis’ injury-hit stay makes an extension seem unlikely, while the same applies to Robbie Brady given his lack of availability last season.
Dai Cornell is a popular figure among the squad and ended up deputising for Daniel Iversen last season, ahead of summer signing Jack Walton. He is now 35, though, and across four years has made 23 appearances - keeping two clean sheets. Walton also has two years left to run on his contract at Deepdale.
Three Under-19s had one-year options activated this time last year and will learn whether they are staying: Troy Tarry, Jonny Brindle and Harry Stringfellow. All second-year scholars are in the same boat - Charlie Forwood, Clayton Lescott, Ed Nolan and Somto Ifezue are among that group of players.