Shot-stopper Declan Rudd was not always favoured by Preston North End boss Alex Neil

As a man and as a goalkeeper, Preston No.1 Declan Rudd is in a completely different place to the version of himself which left Norwich City in 2017.
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The 29-year-old shot-stopper returns to his home city and former club this weekend for North End’s Championship clash at Carrow Road.

A boyhood supporter, Rudd lived the dream of every Canaries fan when he signed for Norwich as a youngster and then went on to appear for the club in the Premier League.

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Of course, every one of Rudd’s appearances in the top flight came under the stewardship of PNE boss Alex Neil, who was then in charge of the Canaries.

Rudd with matchwinner Daniel Johnson at Derby in midweekRudd with matchwinner Daniel Johnson at Derby in midweek
Rudd with matchwinner Daniel Johnson at Derby in midweek

Over the past couple of years, Rudd has firmly established himself as the No.1 choice between the sticks at Deepdale.

But there was a time when Rudd did not always have the faith of his manager.

Despite making 13 appearances in the Premier League during the 2015-16 season, he was axed by Neil in the February of that campaign in favour of John Ruddy as Norwich were ultimately relegated back to the Championship.

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That summer Rudd was not part of Neil’s plans for the forthcoming campaign and was allowed to go out on loan for the entire season to Charlton Athletic in League One.

Declan Rudd organises his Preston defensive unitDeclan Rudd organises his Preston defensive unit
Declan Rudd organises his Preston defensive unit

With his Norwich contract coming to an end and having enjoyed impressive loan spells for PNE previously, Rudd was snapped up by Simon Grayson on a permanent deal in the summer of 2017.

However, not long after the ink had dried on Rudd’s contract, Grayson promptly left to take control of Sunderland – and was replaced by Neil.

Having guided Norwich to promotion to the Premier League, Neil was shown the door at Carrow Road after an inauspicious start to life back in the Championship during the 2016-17 season.

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Rudd may have had concerns about working under the man who had allowed him to leave Carrow Road in 2016.

But over the past three seasons, he has become a key figure for North End under Neil – underlined by his signing of a new contract this summer to remain at Deepdale for at least the next three years.

Very much a youngster at Norwich, Rudd has grown in experience and stature at Deepdale.

He believes at 29, he is entering his peak years as a goalkeeper.

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“Mine and the gaffer’s relationship is completely different,” said Rudd, who returned to the side for Tuesday night’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win at Derby after missing the opening day of the season loss to Swansea at Deepdale.

“It’s been a long time since we were there together. It’s four years since I played under him at Norwich. I have been here at Preston for the past three years with him and I’ve changed.

“I’ve changed as a person and as a player and I am sure the experiences that he has gained over the last four years has changed him as well.

“We are both in completely different parts of our careers than what we were when we were both at Norwich. I think as a goalkeeper you can add about three years on to the peak years compared to an out-field player.

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“It’s a completely different position where you need to gain experience and the more games you play, the better you become.

“I am in the last years of my 20s, which is a good thing I suppose as a keeper because you’re then seen as an experienced player.

“I hopefully have a good few years in me yet.”

With around 1,000 home fans set to watch the game inside the ground this weekend, Rudd is looking forward to hearing some crowd noise rather than echoes of his team-mates’ shouts and that of the opposition. However, he admits it is going to be strange seeing Carrow Road virtually empty, as it is normally packed house for every game.

“Every game I ever played there, it was always pretty much a full house,” said Rudd. “It will be weird seeing it virtually empty, but it’s weird every ground is empty.”