Preston North End take on Middlesbrough tonight and Matt Crooks will not be involved after completing a big move to Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake.
North End are back at Deepdale on Wednesday night, welcoming Middlesbrough to Lancashire.
PNE won on the road on Saturday afternoon, producing a fine display to beat Cardiff City 2-0 away from home.
Ryan Lowe would no doubt love a third win in a row with play-off hopes rising once again despite him being under pressure of late.
Middlesbrough will be a tough challenge for North End, especially after Michael Carrick’s men smashed PNE 4-0 twice in 2023.
Boro will though be without a proven performer having sold a midfielder just hours before facing North End…
Matt Crooks sold by Middlesbrough ahead of Preston North End clash
Middlesbrough have now confirmed that midfielder Matt Crookss has been sold to Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.
The 30-year-old has been a key figure for Boro ever since joining from Rotherham United for £1.1million back in the summer of 2021.
Crooks racked up 111 appearances and 23 goals in a Boro shirt but has now decided to leave the club.
Crooks has penned a deal through 2026 with Real Salt Lake and few can blame him for taking this chance at this stage in his career.
The former Rangers talent registered an assist for Boro against North End in November and he has really chipped in this season, racking up three goals and six assists in 25 Championship games.
Boro haven’t stood in his way though and Crooks has now finalised his move to Utah, ruling him out of contention to face North End.
Carrick still has plenty of quality players at his disposal, but this is one less player PNE have to worry about for tonight’s clash.