Preston lost 2-0 at Bristol City on Saturday afternoon – but contract talk continues to cast a shadow of Alex Neil’s plans.
Famara Diedhiou and Zak Vyner scored in each half to condemn North End to defeat at Ashton Gate, with Preston struggling to impress.
This was the first game since Alan Browne committed his future to Preston and ended speculation surrounded his contract, but others remain in limbo.
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Neil confirmed after the final whistle that Ben Pearson has told the club he won’t be staying at Deepdale, and that’s why he wasn’t involved at all against the Robins.
However, Ben Davies and Daniel Johnson both started the game, potentially dropping a hint that the duo could yet stay at the club.
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After the game, Neil admitted to the Lancashire Evening Post that Johnson now looks ‘much more likely’ to sign a new deal than Pearson, though he offered little comment on Davies.
“Yes, at the moment DJ is much more likely than what Ben Pearson would be, that is fair to say,” said Neil.
Last week, Football Insider reported that Rangers were looking to strike a pre-contract agreement with Johnson having failed to sign him for £1.5million over the summer.
Preston seem to have renewed hope that the Jamaican playmaker will stay, but there seems to be some work to do until he follows Browne in committing his future to North End.