With the January transfer window around the corner, much of the focus is on who Preston could sign – but some players may also have to leave.
Chris Maxwell is one such player who may be primed for the chopping block, with the goalkeeper’s future at Deepdale looking a little bleak.
North End signed Maxwell from Fleetwood Town in 2016, immediately making him cover between the sticks.
However, he displaced Anders Lindegaard in his first season and featured prominently for Alex Neil last season.
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Now though, Maxwell is stuck behind Declan Rudd. He did get a brief stint in the side this term, but that ended with a red card at Ipswich Town.
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Maxwell still wasn’t recalled even when Rudd committed a huge error in the 3-0 defeat at Birmingham City, and North End are even being linked with other goalkeepers, with Tom Heaton a reported target.
Maxwell has slipped out of the Wales squad due to a lack of playing time, and he may need to leave Deepdale to save his international career.
Bristol City had some interest in Maxwell over the summer, and it would be little surprise to see them come back next month.
Some fans still believe Maxwell should be first choice, but at this point, it’s clear that Alex Neil doesn’t agree.
His sweeper-keeper nature was key last season, but his rash decision making means he simply can’t be relied upon at this point.
If North End do sign another goalkeeper next month, one of Maxwell or Rudd would surely leave.
Right now, it’s surely Maxwell heading out of Deepdale.