Seven released by PNE

Neil Kilkenny, Chris Kirkland, Kyel Reid, Andy Little, Jack Ryan, Nick Anderton and Josh Heaton have not been offered new deals and will leave Deepdale this summer.

A two-year contract is on the table for Josh Brownhill, the midfielder currently on loan at Barnsley and involved in their play-off campaign.

The retained list, published on Tuesday morning, contained no surprises.

Reid, Little, Ryan, Anderton and Heaton had spent large parts of the season on loan at other clubs.

Kirkland and Kilkenny had remained part of the squad at North End, with goalkeeper Kirkland playing the last three games of the season in place of the injured Anders Lindegaard.

But Kilkenny’s last appearance was in Boxing Day’s 3-1 defeat at Huddersfield and he got no further than the bench after that.

North End’s five loan players – Lindegaard, Marnick Vermijl, Eoin Doyle, Adam Reach and Callum Robinson – have returned to their parent clubs.

There is the chance of PNE making moves for some of them again during the summer.

A statement released by the club said: “Preston North End would like to place on record its thanks to all the players who will leave the club for their efforts and commitment during their time at Deepdale, and wish them all successful careers.”