The FA Cup third round provides an opportunity for most clubs to mix their team around, and give fringe players a chance to stake a claim for a regular spot.
For Ryan Lowe, this is no different. It’s even more of an opportunity for him to see his new players in action.
The new Preston manager has already spoken of his love for the FA Cup, and how he would like to take this club to one of the top grounds in the country for an away tie. The first hurdle is an away game to Cardiff City on Sunday, which didn’t exactly tickle the tastebuds when the draw was made.
It’s even less of an occasion with the restrictions in Wales meaning there will be no fans present on the day.
But it’s a good chance to rest a few players and still progress to the next round. Lowe will make a few changes but probably not wholesale. There are a number of players at the club who are fighting for their career, with contracts coming to an end, and could use this opportunity to win a new deal or at least put themselves in the shop window.
Here’s three players who could play a rare game for Preston North End…
Jamie Thomas
Remember him? His transfer in the summer was a fairytale story after impressing for Bamber Bridge in a pre-season friendly and then. Despite only signing ahead of the season, Thomas didn’t make the 25-man Championship squad and has since been limited to reserve appearances. The club has an option to extend his one-year contract at the end of the season, but you would have to say it’s unlikely at this stage.
Unless you were at a couple of pre-season games, Preston fans won’t have seen him. He’s rarely ever mentioned in any press conferences but this could be an opportunity for him. It would be nice to at least see him get a proper game for the club after being over the moon to get the deal in the summer.
Josh Harrop
Now in his fifth season with the club it’s fair to say he hasn’t lived up to they hype which surround him on his arrival. After a goal in his first game for Manchester United, Harrop’s signing was seen as somewhat of a coup. He has shown some class, with great goals against Sunderland, Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers immediately coming to mind.
To be fair to Harrop, he has never had a consistent run in the side even when he has been playing well. He’s always had tough competition in the middle of the park and he’s not an out and out wide player. A loan move to Ipswich Town didn’t work out for him last season, but he still has another year on his contract once this season is up.
There’s definitely a good player in there, but Lowe may think his wages could be spent elsewhere.
Paul Huntington
This one may be more out of hope than expectation. Huntington is in his 10th season with the club, and will go down as a legend. He’s always given his all for the team and you can tell he loves it here. He’s had a battle this year mainly off the pitch, and has struggled to even make the matchday squad. With three at the back there’s an opportunity but there’s plenty of defenders competing for it.
He deserves a game, but then Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay and Greg Cunningham will be chomping at the bit as well. Lowe will need to work out who he wants to work with long term and that probably isn’t Huntington, but it would be nice to see him possibly even captaining the side.