Will Preston North End keeper Declan Rudd reach a century of PNE appearances this weekend?

Declan Rudd is on 99 not out and it will be interesting to see whether or not the goalkeeper hits a century of appearances for Preston on Saturday.
Preston goalkeeper Declan RuddPreston goalkeeper Declan Rudd
Preston goalkeeper Declan Rudd

Rudd’s 99th game in the North End keeper’s jersey is not one he will remember fondly, having dropped a big clanger for Birmingham City's opener last week.

It was the start of PNE’s downfall at St Andrew’s, with the home side going on to coast to a 3-0 victory.

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The question for Alex Neil now is whether he sticks with Rudd for Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, or does he bring Chris Maxwell back into the starting line-up?

Declan RuddDeclan Rudd
Declan Rudd

Preston boss Neil has spoken of his reluctance to chop-and-change in the goalkeeper’s department.

Neil had a short spell of doing so around Easter last season and didn’t get the response he wished for.

Rudd started the season as first-choice and has played in 12 Championship games to Maxwell’s eight.

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Maxwell got his chance in September and stayed in the side until his red card at Ipswich last month.

PNE goalkeeper Chris MaxwellPNE goalkeeper Chris Maxwell
PNE goalkeeper Chris Maxwell

North End were unbeaten in six of those matches.

Rudd was brought back at Bristol City when Maxwell was suspended and has played the last four.

His appearances for PNE go back to February 2013 when he signed on loan from Norwich City.

His debut came in Graham Westley’s last match in charge on Preston at Yeovil.

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Rudd spent the remainder of that season and all of the next on loan at Deepdale.

He signed permanently in June 2017, shortly before the exit of Simon Grayson.

Last season, a thigh injury meant Rudd didn’t play for the first-team until January.

After two appearances in the FA Cup at Wycombe and Sheffield United, he made his first league start in the 3-0 win at Forest on January 30.

Whether Rudd lines-up against at the City Ground will be seen when the team-sheets are published on Saturday.