Lancashire

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom spoke to BBC Lancashire following his side's 0-0 draw against Luton Town.

He said: "I'm really pleased - from minute one to the end.

"It became a little bit tricky when Luton made the change, so we didn't know what team they would pick or how they would set up tactically. But we just concentrated on ourselves .

"At times we have not managed games away from home well enough and that cost us points so I'd love it if that was the benchmark for every single away game between now and the end of the season in terms of the mentality and the approach.

"But we still want to be better in other areas."

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire commentator

Image source, Rex Features

Sometimes seasons have a defining moment, maybe Burnley's season will have two.

Two penalty saves, the second coming in stoppage time, to preserve the club's unbeaten home record, to deny a promotion rival the chance to replace them in the top two.

Maybe, come May, those two moments might prove significant.

Maybe that point could be the difference between the play-offs and automatic promotion, or maybe not.

Sometimes a player's career has a defining moment, maybe James Trafford's Burnley career will have two.

That double penalty save, undoubtedly his finest 10 minutes since joining the club.

Signed for a huge fee, eventually dropped from the team after a catalogue of mistakes last season in the Premier League, last night he left the field to a standing ovation, a hero's exit.

The defining moment of his Burnley career, or maybe not.

He'll likely leave Burnley for a bigger club at some point, and he'll probably play for England, but for 10 minutes last night, he was centre stage and played his part superbly.

Burnley head coach Scott Parker praised James Trafford's goalkeeping heroics as the Clarets held promotion rivals Sunderland to a goalless draw.

Trafford saved penalties from Wilson Isidor in the 86th and 95th minutes as Burnley moved level on points at the top of the Championship with Leeds United.

And Parker admitted that the point felt like a victory afterwards given how close to the end the spot-kicks were.

"It's a massive point for us in the scheme of where the game was," he said.

"Two penalties and the game could have looked very different if not for James Trafford and the saves he's made.

"Not many words can describe what he's produced. I don't think I've been involved in a game like that one at the end.

"Both were very good penalties and Traff has flown across his goal. Everything about him in terms of those big saves, we owe him one tonight."

Andy Bayes
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Getty Images

Preston North End have addressed two areas that, from the outside, looked like they needed a refresh.

Paul Heckingbottom was able to make one addition in the last window following his appointment, but he's had time to assess what was needed over the last four months and left-sided players have come in.

Heckingbottom suggested to me this week that the squad he inherited are used to playing three at the back and largely, he's been happy to continue with that system, but now that Jayden Meghoma has arrived, it does look like they can comfortably play a back four with specialists on both sides.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden has switched from his favoured flank on the right to cover the left, largely because of a couple of injuries to Robbie Brady of late, but I think we can expect him to move back to his more natural position going forward.

Balance is key to any team and with Meghoma and Brady both fit and available to play, and Brad Potts not far off a return from injury, he'll have options to choose from on both sides without someone playing slightly out of their comfort zone.

Reflecting on the signings of Lewis Gibson on a permanent deal and the loan of Meghoma from Brentford, it's clear Heckingbottom would like to do more to mould the squad more to his liking but you sense that if there are more incomings, it could involve fringe players leaving to create the space.

Gibson's arrival leaves them with six senior centre-backs on the books. He's highly thought of and is here to play, you'd imagine he'll get a run of games to show what he's all about.

If they continue to play three centre-backs, it's direct competition in each spot, or is it too many to keep everyone happy? On a bench of nine, how many centre-backs do you realistically need?

A number of first-team players are out of contract in the summer. Some have been told that they won't be offered fresh terms for next year, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they'll leave this month in search of a new employer.

Andrew Hughes and Jordan Storey are the most recent two to extend their Deepdale stays, but we're waiting on key areas like the goalkeeping department, with Freddie Woodman's contract up in the summer.

Emil Riis is also out of contract and has been reportedly interesting clubs of late. Ryan Ledson, Liam Lindsay and Ched Evans – all Alex Neil signings - will also be free agents in the summer unless something is agreed.

There are others too, who have played their part in recent seasons, including Duane Holmes and, to a lesser extent, Patrick Bauer.

It's a key time for North End. We could see quite a turnover of personnel over the coming months, or deals may be struck to keep some of the players on who have served them over a number of years.

The feeling you get from talking to Paul Heckingbottom is that change might be a good thing.

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma could make his debut for Preston North End in their away game against Luton Town at the weekend after joining the Lancashire club on Thursday.

The teenager has been brought into the squad to add to North End's attacking threat as well as providing relief for defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden, who has played all 90 minutes in 15 of his 24 Championship appearances this season.

"It gives us that opportunity now to have more competition, more cover and better balance to the team," boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He's probably played more games at left-back in a back four. But, he's athletic, he likes to get forward. We want to push him and get him creating and scoring goals."

Preston are also boosted by midfielder Robbie Brady's return to fitness following a rib injury.