Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe is awaiting news on midfielder Ben Whiteman after he was left on crutches following the defeat to Stoke City.
PNE fans are probably used to the feeling of getting excited and then being brought back down to earth.
The recent run of superb form has put PNE into play-off contention and a meeting with struggling Stoke City was one that many supporters were quietly expecting to be a victory.
That isn’t how it played out though as Stoke bagged two scruffy goals to secure a 2-1 victory.
Substitute Milutin Osmajic did equalise make it 1-1, only for Ali McCann’s clearance to strike Luke McNally and find the net.
This just wasn’t North End’s day and a top six finish has now become much trickier after Saturday’s disappointing result.
Ben Whiteman injury latest
There may even be a long-lasting problem emerging from the game after Ben Whiteman went down with an injury.
Whiteman was played through on goal by Mads Frøkjær-Jensen but saw his effort saved by Daniel Iversen.
A strong challenge went in on Whiteman as he took his shot, leaving him limping off the pitch and being replaced by Ryan Ledson.
PNE fans will be fearing a lengthy lay-off for Whiteman and Ryan Lowe has offered the latest on the situation.
Speaking to iFollow, Lowe noted that Whiteman was wearing a protective boot and was using crutches after the game.
Lowe took some positivity from Whiteman not needing a stretcher to leave the pitch on Saturday, and hope it’s just a rolled ankle rather than anything major.
“He walked off the pitch, didn’t he, which was a bonus – he hasn’t come off on a stretcher,” said Lowe. “He’s in a boot at the moment and on crutches, so we’ll see how that is. Hopefully, he’s just rolled his ankle and the ligaments in there will swell up for a few days and we’ll see how he is,” he added.
North End will be hoping that Whiteman avoids a significant injury here, especially having seen him undergo a hernia operation last summer.
That resulted in Whiteman missing the whole of pre-season and PNE will be desperate to avoid a similar situation again.
Ledson may now be primed to fill in for Whiteman in the coming weeks, especially with Alan Browne required to cover at right wing back in place of the injured Brad Potts.