Preston North End's forgotten man Ben Pringle settling in to life at League Two Grimsby Town

Ben Pringle in action during PNE pre-season training

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The midfielder is on a season-long loan with the League Two club that takes him to the end of the three-year deal he signed when he joined PNE from Fulham in the summer of 2016.

Pringle is something of a forgotten man for the Lilywhites having not played competitively for the club since coming on as a second-half sub in the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in December 2016.

His move to Blundell Park on deadline day in August saw him link up with Grimsby skipper Welsh and should bring him some much-needed games although he has taken time to get up to speed having been out of the picture under PNE boss Alex Neil.

“I spoke to Welshy when it was looking likely, just to touch base with him,” Pringle told the Grimsby Telegraph.

“He gave it the green light. It’s been easy to settle in here and I’ve enjoyed it.

“We have got a good bunch of lads here, and there are some good young players. If I can help them in any way, then I will look to do that.”

Pringle only made his first start for Grimsby on Tuesday night in their Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Doncaster Rovers, the 29-year-old continuing to build up his match fitness.

“I’ve not played in a while so it was nice to get back out there,” he said.

“It’s been a bit of a frustrating time, so it was good to be playing again.

“I’m just trying to do as much as I can, get as fit as I can and as quickly as I can.

"I want to come in and play as many games as I can. It’s clear that I’ve not played a great deal of football in the last year or two, so that is my first aim."

Pringle’s PNE move was seen as something of a coup at the time but he has made just 14 appearances for club and spent the second-half of last season on loan at Oldham as they were relegated from League One.