Preston are set to axe a number of players in the coming weeks – and it looks like two have already gone in Josh Murphy and Izzy Brown.
North End simply have to completely retool this squad and allow Ryan Lowe to mould the squad he wants it moving forward.
That means a host of players will be leaving the club and the first exits are now emerging.
Lancs Live report that both Josh Murphy and Izzy Brown have been allowed to leave Preston early.
One interesting note in that report is that their punctuality and attitude allegedly didn’t impress and Lowe has decided to move them on.
Murphy, 27, seemed like an exciting signing back in August. A former £11million capture for Cardiff City back in 2018, Murphy was a rarity in terms of a proven Championship player signing for Preston.
However, Murphy has never started a single game for Preston. Injuries were a problem, as was the fact that North End just haven’t used out-and-out wingers this season.
Despite Lowe trialling him as a wing back in some games, it now seems that Murphy is done at Preston.
Wales Online note that Murphy is expected to leave Cardiff when his contract expires this summer and you would imagine some Championship clubs will be keen.
There is clearly a player in Murphy and it’s a shame it never worked for him at Deepdale, but it’s clear that Lowe is ready to be ruthless.
Joining Murphy in leaving the club is playmaker Brown, who has had some rotten luck.
Snapped up on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer, Brown was looking to settle down after injury hell in recent years.
Sadly for Brown, he suffered a torn achilles in his first pre-season game for Preston and hasn’t yet returned.
Brown may not have played much, but he will actually leave with a decent rapport with supporters.
Brown spoke well about mental health issues around Christmas, taking the time to help one Preston fan and then buy a number of North End shirts for young fans.
Add in that he was winding up Blackpool fans after our recent win over the Tangerines and Brown has tried to make that bond with fans.
It hasn’t been enough to extend his stay at Deepdale though and Brown will again become a free agent for the second summer in a row.