Ryan Ledson is starting to make a big impression at Preston North End

Ryan Ledson’s performance in Preston’s draw at Norwich was the midfielder’s best yet for the Lilywhites, in the view of Alex Neil.
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The 23-year-old has really established himself in the PNE midfield since June’s restart and has started both league games this season.

In Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Carrow Road, Ledson was instrumental in North End’s play and had a big hand in the build-up to the second goal.

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He has just started his third season at Deepdale having been signed from Oxford United in June 2018.

Preston North End midfielder Ryan LedsonPreston North End midfielder Ryan Ledson
Preston North End midfielder Ryan Ledson

North End manager Neil said: “I thought it was Ryan’s best performance since he’s been here.

“His aggression with his passing was excellent, you look at the pass for Scott Sinclair before Darnell Fisher’s goal.

“Ryan got about the pitch well, he was tenacious in the tackle and you can see that he is getting better and better.

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“I did say these young lads take time to develop, we have seen a massive improvement in Jordan Storey as well.

“Him and Ryan have taken some big steps forward in terms of being ready to help us win games on a regular basis 
at this level.”

Ledson started five of the final six games of last season, three of those in place of Ben Pearson, who was injured.

Against Swansea on the opening day and at Norwich, Ledson and Pearson were paired together.

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Ledson is the more attack-minded of the partnership, playing the ‘8’ role while Pearson sits a bit deeper.

Said Neil: “We normally play with an ‘8’, in recent seasons that has been Paul Gallagher, Daniel Johnson and Alan Browne.

“What Ryan has done is put his stamp on the fact that he can do that role and do it quite comfortably. I think he can slip in and do Ben’s role if necessary but I wouldn’t say he is pigeon-holed in that role.

“Ryan has taken a little bit of time, although I’m pretty confident he would say he was ready before now if you asked him.”

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It seems likely that the Ledson/Pearson pairing might get a break when PNE play Brighton in the Carabao Cup at Deepdale tomorrow.

One or the other could feature but Neil intends doing some squad rotation, with a quick turnaround before the league game with Stoke.

Gallagher and Tom Bayliss will be looking to get a role in the middle against the Seagulls – it was those two who started last week’s 2-1 win at Derby in the competition.

The clash with Brighton has a 7pm kick-off and is 
being streamed live on the Carabao Cup website and not through PNE’s iFollow channel.

Match passes for the stream cost £10, with revenue split 50/50 between the clubs.