Preston North End defender Liam Lindsay continues to shine this season but his contract situation will be a source of concern for supporters.
Few could have seen Lindsay’s rise coming this season.
Lindsay’s 2021 loan spell from Stoke City was nothing to write home about, but PNE saw enough in him to engineer a permanent deal.
Even last season, Lindsay looked shaky when filling in for Patrick Bauer and came in for criticism from supporters.
Lindsay has become a totally new player now though and would surely win the club’s Player of the Year award if it was decided on today.
Lindsay has become a rock in the heart of the PNE defence and was even nominated for the Championship Player of the Month award for August.
We certainly didn’t expect this kind of turnaround and can only praise the Scot for his outstanding form this season.
Even in the defeat to Blackpool on Saturday, Lindsay still racked up two tackles, two interceptions, six successful aerial duels and seven clearances.
Lindsay was making his return from injury and was strong once again, even with his enforced shift from centre back to left-sided centre back.
Lindsay is deservedly earning praise and apologies from PNE fans and some may now even be worried about his contract situation.
The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and can leave for free in 2023 as things stand.
This feels particularly threatening given that teams in Scotland can offer Lindsay a pre-contract agreement in January, and they may well be keeping tabs on the Scot’s progress.
Ryan Lowe indicated to the Lancashire Post in September that there was no chance of players earning new contract before Christmas and that the subject would only be tackled in January.
We can understand that to an extent. PNE have saddled themselves with contracts over the years and maybe the more patient approach can pay off.
Yet in the case of Lindsay, he has made a huge claim for a new deal now having been so impressive this season.
The January window will come around quicker than people think given the upcoming World Cup and Lindsay’s contract situation will be one of the big topics heading into 2023.