Shake-up of the Preston North End squad is unavoidable says boss Alex Neil

Alex Neil says ‘churning’ the Preston North End squad during the season is not ideal but it is a case of needs-must as he addresses injuries and contract situations.
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The Lilywhites have made four signings this month and have more business they would like to do before the February 1 deadline.

Neil points out that the spine of his team has come under the spotlight of late.

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Goalkeeper Declan Rudd and centre-half Patrick Bauer have both suffered injuries which will keep them out for the season.

Defender Ben DaviesDefender Ben Davies
Defender Ben Davies

Ben Davies’ future is up in the air, the defender having less than six months of his contract to run.

In midfield, Ben Pearson and Daniel Johnson are in the same boat as Davies.

Pearson has effectively been replaced by new boys Ben Whiteman and Jayson Molumby, although remains in the squad.

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Another change has seen Paul Gallagher spending time in a coaching role as well as being on the pitch.

PNE manager Neil said: “It is never ideal to start churning players over too much mid-season but we have had no alternative.

“We’ve brought some new lads in and one thing to bear in mind is the signal of intent in doing that probably helped get Alan Browne to sign his contract.

“Had we not signed those players, I’m not sure we would have been in that position with Alan either.

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“It’s really quite complex and delicate, there are a lot of factors involved.”

Neil thinks the PNE squad could have quite a different look by the end of the window.

The word ‘transition’ is one he has used before to describe what the squad is going through and he repeated it as his focus turned to tomorrow night’s trip to Birmingham.

Said Neil: “This season is a transitional one for us, no question about that.

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“We’ve done a goalkeeper because of Declan Rudd, we have lost Patrick Bauer.

“We are in a position where between now and the end of the current window we could lose potentially the two Bens and DJ.

“That has been the spine of the team for a long time.

“So that is the challenge at the moment, making sure we have a good squad in place to compete over the second half of the season.”

With regards to further incoming deals, North End have been linked with a move for Luton Town skipper Sonny Bradley.

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The centre-half, 29, is in the last few months of his contract at Kenilworth Road.

Any business for a defender would cover the loss of Bauer but another would be needed should the soon-to-be-out contract Davies be lured away this month.

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