Preston starlet Ethan Walker is back after injury and will return to PNE squad

The Lilywhites officially recalled Walker from a loan spell at Carlisle yesterday and he could be in the squad for today’s FA Cup third round clash with Wycombe.

Walker went on a season’s loan to the Cumbrians at the start of the campaign, the loan agreement including a break clause in January.

After five appearances, he dislocated his shoulder in Carlisle’s EFL Trophy game at Sunderland.

Having had an issue with the same shoulder before, he was sent to see a specialist who recommended surgery to strengthen the joint.

Walker did his rehab with the PNE medical team and has been back training with the North End squad over the last few weeks.

This is an opportunity for Walker to be involved in Alex Neil’s squad, two years on from his Championship debut against Aston Villa.

He came on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Villa at Deepdale, Adam O’Reilly making his senior debut at the same time.

With Championship clubs having been able to name nine substitutes and use five in a game since November, there is certainly scope for Walker to be in the plans.

Neil has used youngsters Jacob Holland-Wilkinson and Lewis Coulton on the bench in the last few weeks.

Walker would provide Neil with genuine pace out wide, covering Tom Barkhuizen and Scott Sinclair – former Celtic man Sinclair has been out with a hamstring injury he sustained on Boxing Day.

If towards the end of the window PNE decide they have sufficient cover out wide, there would be the option to send Walker out on loan again for the rest of the season.

The North End side is set to show a number of changes for this afternoon’s cup tie which is being shown live for free on the FA player platform.

There’s an outside chance Ben Pearson and Alan Browne might test their fitness after recent injuries.

PNE boss Neil said: “We will probably have a couple back and it is an opportunity for some of the other lads.

“I did state the other day that Tom Bayliss would have another bite at it, so he will certainly be involved.

“Alan Browne won’t be far away, we’ll need to have at him, while Pearo might come into contention for this one.”

Jayson Molumby is likely to have some involvement after his arrival from Brighton.

Ched Evans is cup tied having played for Fleetwood in an earlier round and it might be that goalkeeper Daniel Iversen is held back until next week’s Championship visit to Bristol City.