Summer business pleases PNE

Preston North End assistant boss Glynn Snodin is pleased with the recruitment done at Deepdale so far this summer.
Jermaine Beckford and Joe GarnerJermaine Beckford and Joe Garner
Jermaine Beckford and Joe Garner

There will be three new faces in the Lilywhites squad which returns to pre-season training tomorrow.

On Monday, Tommy Spurr joined Simon Makienok and Chris Maxwell in the arrivals lounge, with there being more business to come.

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Snodin, No.2 to North End manager Simon Grayson, believes the addition of the trio will push the quality level up.

“We have done some good business so far, these are three quality signings for me,” Snodin told the Evening Post.

“Quality more than quantity is the important thing, there is no point making signings just for the sake of it.

“So far we have got a keeper, defender and striker in, all positions which needed some attention.

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“I’m looking forward to starting work with the lads this week and seeing them join what is a good squad here.”

Makienok’s arrival on loan for the season from Italian club Palermo, will hopefully help the forward line fire more successfully than it did last season.

At 6ft 7ins, the Danish front man has the physique to ruffle up defences and provide more space for Jermaine Beckford and Joe Garner to operate in.

Said Snodin: “Simon is a different type of striker to what we already have.

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“It is nice to have that choice to change things around, try a different approach if something isn’t working.

“Simon could fit in alongside any of the front lads – Joe, Jermaine, Jordan Hugill and then Stevie May when he is back fit after his injury.

“All strikers go through stages when they don’t score goals for whatever reason, we saw that last season.

“Being able to change things is a nice option for the manager.”

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Great Dane Makienok will tower over the majority of PNE’s players and coaching staff – Snodin in particular.

“I picked Simon up at Manchester Airport when he came for his medical earlier in the summer,” said Snodin.

“Simon phoned me when he had landed to say he was here and that I would recognise him as he was wearing a red top.

“I told him ‘don’t worry about that, I’ll see your head touching the ceiling’.

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“It was like a scene off Game of Thrones when him and me were walking together – Simon being as tall as he is and me being on the short side!

“Simon seems a very good sort, we had a good chat and he was telling me how Charlton hadn’t been the happiest of places last season when he played there.

“I was able to them him about the good team spirit we have at Preston.”

Meanwhile, PNE’s friendly against Accrington on July 16 has been cancelled.

Stanley are doing major pitch renovation work at the Crown Ground which won’t be completed in time.

Attempts were made to find an alternative venue but that has not proved possible.