Preston North End set for double midfield boost ahead of Sheffield Wednesday clash
Preston North End will be attempting to halt their three-game winless run when they face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom is set to welcome midfielders Ben Whiteman and Harrison Armstrong back into the equation for Saturday’s Championship tussle with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Skipper Whiteman is back available for selection after being suspended for Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road after earning his fifth yellow card of the season in last Friday night’s 2-1 defeat to Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers.
Meanwhile, Armstrong, who joined North End on loan from Premier League side Everton on deadline day, has missed each of the last two matches after tweaking his groin during the recent international break.
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The 18-year-old, who spent the second half of last season, on loan at Derby County, has been an eye-catching performer for North End so far this term, meaning the prospect of him being available for their clash with the Owls is a welcomed boost for boss Heckingbottom, who will be eyeing his first win at Hillsborough in his managerial career.
Preston set for midfield boosts
Issuing an update on his side’s condition ahead of the trip to South Yorkshire, Heckingbottom, as quoted by the Lancashire Evening Post, said: “Everyone will be fine, plus Ben and hopefully Harrison to that. We’re in a stronger position, we’ll welcome them back.
“They've been good. I think Ben's been really consistent, had a good pre-season, played a lot of forward passes which, obviously, I've been banging on about for a long, long time.
“But then without the ball, I think it's really evident he's had a good pre-season because he's been getting about the pitch, defending the box well, so he's been playing well and we want him to keep to those standards.
“Harrison, we know what he brings: a hell of a lot of energy, good quality on the ball and we still think we can improve in between now and the end of the season as well - and he's determined to improve. So yes, they're two good additions because we were two short on the bench as well, so it's ideal for us.”