Preston lost 2-0 away at Bristol City this afternoon – and it looks like one player has already played his final game for the club.
North End fell to a goal in each half from Famara Diedhiou and Zak Vyner, with the Robins claiming their first win over Preston since 2013.
The game saw Ben Whiteman make his first appearance for the club since arriving from Doncaster Rovers on Thursday, and he looks set to play a key role now.
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Whiteman and fellow new recruit Jayson Molumby will help North End in midfield, given question marks over Ben Pearson’s future.
Pearson has been out injured since early December, and some wondered whether they had already seen his final game in a Preston shirt.
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Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports reported earlier this month that Celtic have already held talks with Pearson about a pre-contract agreement, given that he is out of contract this summer.
Now, Preston boss Alex Neil has admitted that Pearson was actually fit for today’s defeat at Ashton Gate, but had made it clear that his future lies away from Deepdale.
That meant Neil went with Whiteman in midfield and left Pearson out completely, meaning a January exit now looks to be the best course of action for all concerned in what is a rather sad end to Pearson’s outstanding five years at Preston.