“There was a line” - Paul Heckingbottom’s brutally honest update on Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman’s future

Captain Ben Whiteman has told Preston North End that he has played his last game for the club.

That’s according to boss Paul Heckingbottom, who was speaking to local media following the 1-0 friendly defeat to Stockport County.

Speculation around Whiteman’s future began on Friday night when Alan Nixon reported that Wrexham were interested in the midfielder.

Now, Heckingbottom has passionately clarified his and the club’s stance.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: “Ben told me, told Peter [Ridsdale, club CEO] he has played his last game for the club. He was trying to force a move, which is an issue for me, for the players.

“From a performance point of view, we were in regular conversations in the last few days and Ben knew there was a line I didn't want him to cross. Unfortunately, he has and you can't have that.

“My priority now is the players that are here and the players that want to play for us and represent the club.

“Craig [Hemmings] will have an issue with that and Peter, because they pay the wages and that sort of thing.

There's a valuation on him, I just hope for Ben's sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it, otherwise he's going to put himself in a really sticky situation.

”I'm not bothered now [about his future being resolved], he's made in bed, I'm not bothered as long as I get another player.”

He later told the Lancashire Post: “The situation now has passed over to Craig and Peter, and like I said, there's a valuation for the player.

“I think one thing Craig's really clear on, which is right, is that when you're paying players well and giving good contracts, you can't then allow them to dictate what happens with those contracts so [we] put a valuation on him, and like I said, hopefully Wrexham or someone else will stump up the money.”