Well, the injuries may have slowed down for a little bit, but they’re back again.
North End went through a shocking injury crisis over Christmas, leading to teenagers being brought into the squad.
Midway through last month, it appeared to be clearing up. A host of players returned, and North End have picked up eight points in four games since.
However, news today means that a new name can be added to the injury list – and he hasn’t even played a game.
Goalkeeper Connor Ripley arrived from Middlesbrough last month, ending a loan spell at Accrington Stanley.
MORE PRESTON STORIES
With Chris Maxwell moving on loan to Charlton Athletic, Ripley was bought as new competition for Declan Rudd.
The 25-year-old has yet to even kick a ball for North End, but he may have even longer to wait for a debut.
That’s because Alex Neil today confirmed that Ripley has most likely snapped an ankle ligament in a bounce game this week.
Neil noted that ‘it’s not looking great’, but North End will know more after a scan in the coming days.
That’s a major blow for North End, who had seen Rudd improve off the back of Ripley’s arrival at Deepdale.
The Lancashire Evening Post’s Dave Seddon has added that goalkeeper Michael Crowe was set to join Waterford United on loan. However, that deal has been cancelled in light of Ripley’s injury.
We’re now a Rudd injury away from Crowe being in goal again. Shudder.