Preston were back in pre-season action again on Friday evening – and Tyler Williams was a shock inclusion in the defeat at Wigan Athletic.
North End made the trip to the DW Stadium with just over a week to go until the start of the new Championship season, but lost 3-2.
Young striker Joe Rodwell-Grant scored his first goal for Preston, and he saw a familiar face in the squad.
Another trialist was announced in the squad after the involvement of Jamie Thomas at Accrington Stanley last weekend, and this time it was Williams.
The 19-year-old defender was actually released by Preston last summer, and he made a move to Championship rivals Middlesbrough.
Boro allowed Williams to move on this summer, but North End have now brought him back in as a trialist to give him a second chance at a professional contract.
A tall and rangy centre back who had a stint at Burnley before first joining Preston, Williams didn’t actually come off the bench at Wigan.
His return is very interesting though, particularly in light of Preston’s big announcement on Thursday about returning to the Central League.
North End will be fielding a reserve team this coming season, and may feel that Williams can provide defensive options in that league whilst potential being prepared for first-team football one day.
That pathway wasn’t available when Preston released Williams last summer, and his return just one day after North End’s long-awaited return to reserve football points towards him being in consideration there.