Ryan Ledson ready to play his part in Preston North End’s bid to reach play-offs

Ryan Ledson hopes the busy schedule facing Preston when they resume the season can lead to him getting more time on the pitch.
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The 22-year-old midfielder made only 11 appearances in league and cup before football was shutdown in March.

Ledson got on as a late substitute in PNE’s last game against Queens Park Rangers on March 7.

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That was his first slice of senior action since January’s win over Charlton.

Midfielder Ryan Ledson is hoping to feature in the race to reach the play-offsMidfielder Ryan Ledson is hoping to feature in the race to reach the play-offs
Midfielder Ryan Ledson is hoping to feature in the race to reach the play-offs

The Championship season is set to restart on June 20 and nine games will be played over five weekends and four midweeks to get the regular campaign completed.

North End then hope there will be more games to come in the play-offs.

Ledson said: “It’s been a bit like pre-season since we came back but everyone is fitter than when they come back after the summer – no one was out of shape.

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“It is the matches and the fitness you need for that which is the key thing.

“With nine games to go we are going to need a lot of players.

“I don’t think everyone will be able to manage Saturday/Tuesday/Saturday for five weeks.

“With a schedule like that you are going to get injuries and people breaking down.

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“You are going to need a full squad, everyone ready to come in and play a part.

“I want to be part of that and I’ll be ready for when I’m called upon.”

Ledson cannot wait for the games to get going again and his appetite for football has been whetted by watching the German Bundesliga.

His former Everton team-mate Jonjoe Kenny is on loan at Schalke 04, which has added personal interest.

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Said Ledson: “My mate is on loan there so I’ve been in contact with him. He has been telling me how things have been going and I’ve been watching as many games as possible.

“It will feel different when we start playing, with the games being behind closed doors.

“It is up to us to get ourselves up for them, these are professional games.

“Watching the Bundesliga, the games there have been good to watch, even with no crowds.

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“The Bayern Munich and Dortmund game was a really good one, the pace was 
quick.

“There might not have been a crowd there but those players got themselves up for the game.

“They’ve done things well in Germany, they were back training much earlier than here. For a week before the season the players had to go into a hotel.

“We can learn things from how they’ve been done over there.”