Preston North End

Preston make the 10-mile trip east to Blackburn for an intriguing Lancashire derby on Friday night (20:00 GMT).

Rovers have dropped out of the play-off places to lie seventh, and though they remain eight places ahead of North End, they only have five points more.

• Blackburn have failed to win any of their past five league games against Preston (D3 L2), with both losses during that time coming at Ewood Park.

• Preston have lost just one of their past eight away league games against Blackburn (W5 D2), failing to score in just one of those matches.

• Rovers have lost each of their past three league games, last enduring a longer losing run in December 2023 (four games).

• After beating Watford and Middlesbrough both 2-1 in their past two league games, Preston will be looking to win three Championship matches in succession for the first time since February 2024.

• Altogether, 17 different players have scored for Blackburn in the Championship this season; the joint-most for any team in the division (excluding own goals), along with Hull City.

Tom Sandells
BBC Radio Lancashire

Although Preston North End's season looked to be over before it started as their early campaign descended into turmoil after just one game, they curiously seem to be able to reset their campaign completely and light a fire of optimism with their upcoming game on Friday night.

They travel to Ewood Park to play Blackburn Rovers and the start to the season for the Lancashire rivals could not have been more different.

North End's manager ended last season "unacceptably" according to chairman Craig Hemmings and so Ryan Lowe walked out one game and one defeat into the 2024-25 season.

Rovers had their boss in place last season and while they did not set the world alight, they were steady and reaped the rewards of their stability as they made a fast start to the campaign.

Blackburn started the Championship eight unbeaten while Preston won only two of their opening eight matches.

And while North End were going nine games without a win from October, Blackburn during that same time period won six in a row.

However, a win for the Lilywhites on Friday would put them just two points behind Rovers and they will head to East Lancashire backed by more than 5,000 supporters.

They also go there off the back of two fine wins against play-off chasers Watford and Middlesbrough and looked good value for the points in both contests.

Since Boxing Day, only two teams in the division have taken more points than Preston and one of them tops the table.

On the other hand, only three teams have taken fewer points than Blackburn.

Friday's Lancashire Derby is set up to be a potential catalyst for Paul Heckingbottom's side, especially if it brings Blackburn into range.

The Yorkshireman has now had time to settle into his role at the helm and has shown the attacking intent and positivity in the football he wants from his side.

A win to start the weekend and it is game on coming into the turn, post January window.

PNE have made efforts to improve their squad too, with Lewis Gibson and Jayden Meghoma joining on permanent and loan deals respectively.

Both have hit the ground running and with captain Ben Whiteman ruled out for around eight weeks with an ankle injury, Heckingbottom has hinted at potentially doing more January business to bolster their options.

There are positive signs for the North End faithful and with one defeat in their past eight when travelling to Ewood they have every reason to be confident of securing more bragging rights.

Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Stoke will have to wait until later this week to find out whether Liverpool will let 19-year-old forward Jayden Danns leave on loan. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Tuesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after his sending off in their 2-1 win at Watford last week.

Heckingbottom was shown red for using abusive language in the tunnel at half-time at Vicarage Road.

In a statement, an FA spokesperson said: "The manager allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the match official/s around the tunnel area at half-time, which led to his dismissal.

"It's further alleged that he acted in an improper manner following his dismissal by entering the technical area prior to the start of the second half."

Heckingbottom has until Wednesday to provide a response.

Preston North End are interested in signing 20-year-old defender Thierry Small from League One side Charlton Athletic. (Lancashire Post), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Monday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom praised his side's attitude during their 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at Deepdale.

Goals from Stefan Stefan Thordarson and Emil Riis secured the victory after Delano Burgzorg levelled for the visitors.

Victory is their third in four matches and Heckingbottom said his team grew into the game and took their chances after giving themselves a good foundation defensively.

"It was a good game," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The right outcome for us and three points. I'm delighted with the performance and the application against a good side.

"I've said before, in possession, Boro are a very, very dangerous team.

"We had a couple of moments where we weren't brave enough in the first half but I would always back us to get moments of control and we did that.

"Second half, it was similar. I felt we got to grips and they scored on the counter, but we were a lot stronger without the ball and had moments with it."

Preston are up to 14th in the Championship table.

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom says midfielder Mads Frokjaer-Jensen has an "edge to him" but needs to improve his mentality.

The Dane provided an assist for Milutin Osmajic to score North End's second goal as they beat Watford 2-1 on Tuesday.

However, Heckingbottom feels that the 25-year-old could improve if he adopted a more positive mindset.

"He can affect himself negatively, when there's no need to do that," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"If he can stop beating himself up as often and getting down on himself, his level of performance will become much more consistent.

"I think he can control his mood, mentality, frame of mind better."

When asked about whether he felt he was too negative, Frokjaer-Jensen agreed with his manager's opinion.

"I'm pretty much in tune with myself so by that, I'm also probably my biggest critic," Frokjaer-Jensen said.

"It's easy to see when I'm annoyed. I don't really hide it and I think sometimes the manager thinks I show it too much.

"I can beat myself up but that's only because I trust my own abilities."

Middlesbrough make the trip to Deepdale on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT) as they look to strength their position in the Championship play-off places.

Boro beat fellow promotion contenders West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to go fifth in the table.

Preston North End have not lost in their past three league games and earned a point against Middlesbrough in September's reverse fixture.

• Preston have won each of their past four home league games against Middlesbrough since December 2020, as many victories as across their 18 prior matches at Deepdale combined (W4 D6 L8).

• Middlesbrough have won two of their past four league games against Preston 4-0 (W2 D1 L1), though both of those victories came at the Riverside Stadium.

• Preston are unbeaten across their past seven home league games (W2 D5), last enjoying a longer run at Deepdale between April and November 2019 (11 games).

• Middlesbrough lost 2-1 at Portsmouth in their last away league match, last losing consecutive games on the road back in December 2023.

• Preston's Emil Riis has struck six goals across his seven league games against Middlesbrough, his most goals against any side in his English league career. Five of those strikes have also come at Deepdale.

Millwall boss Alex Neil is preparing a bid for 22-year-old Wolves midfielder Luke Cundle, who has also been linked with Preston North End, Swansea City and Bristol City. (South London Press, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip page.

New Preston North End signing Jayden Meghoma grabbed his first assist for the club when he set up team-mate Milutin Osmajic for an opener in their 2-1 win over Watford.

"It's an amazing feeling," Meghoma told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The main thing for me is to impress the fans and to give them a show, to make sure we get the three points all the time."

The Brentford loanee joined North End on Thursday and has featured in both of Preston's Championship matches since linking up with the squad.

The Lilywhites also claimed a point in a goalless draw at Luton Town last Saturday.

The move from the Bees has given the teenager his first taste of life in the Championship and, so far, it has appeared seamless.

"It's been fantastic," Meghoma added. "Everybody's been brilliant so it's an easy place to settle into."

Ross Heaton
BBC Radio Lancashire Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Montenegrin Milutin Osmajic returned to the dressing room at full-time with team-mate Ryan Ledson leading a rendition of a terrace song sung by Preston North End fans – a clear sign of the appreciation of his match-winning performance.

His strength and power were simply too much for the Watford backline who could only resort to fouling him in order to prevent his progress.

He scored two goals with different finishes...

Firstly, a sublime left-footed cross from debutant Jayden Meghoma saw Osmajic dart into the six-yard box to apply the decisive touch from close range.

His second, after the break, came from a move he started - outmuscling his man, he laid off the ball neatly to Mads Frokjaer-Jensen before spinning in behind and emphatically smashing it home at the near post.

Brains and brawn combined on a night he moved into double figures for the season.

Image source, Rex Features

Preston assistant Stuart McCall stood in for Paul Heckingbottom at the post-match press conference following the manager's red card at half time.

He said the win was built on solid preparation work and a fine defensive display, telling BBC Radio Lancashire:

"We trained this morning and discussed how we wanted to come and play and overall it was another strong defensive performance.

"There was a little slip - you don't let (Rocco) Vata come inside on his right foot, and it was a really good goal by the kid.

"But we're delighted with the victory but obviously with the level of performance as well."

Watford ended a run of four league games without a win (D1 L3) when they won 2-0 at Derby County on Saturday and are only outside the Championship play-off spots on goal difference.

The Hornets welcome a Preston North End side who have not won in three, including a goalless draw at Luton Town at the weekend, and are five points above the drop zone.

• Watford have lost one of their past seven league games against Preston (W3 D3 L1), though that defeat was the reverse fixture in October (0-3).

• Preston have failed to win any of their past seven away league games against Watford (D4 L3), since a 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road in August 2005.

• Watford have won both of their home midweek league games this season, beating Bristol City 1-0 in November and Portsmouth 2-1 in December.

• Preston have lost one of their seven midweek league games this season (W3 D3 L1), though that defeat (a 3-1 loss) came in the most recent game against West Brom on New Year's Day.

• Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom has won two of his three previous EFL meetings with Watford (W2 L1), though his only defeat came at Vicarage Road in August 2022 with Sheffield United, losing 1-0 on the opening day of the 2022-23 campaign.

Preston North End are interested in 23-year-old left-back Bryan Hein, who is out of contract with 2. Bundesliga club Jahn Regensburg.

North End are also closing in on a new contract for defender Liam Lindsay, 29, who has made 24 appearances for the club across all competitions this season. (Lancashire Post, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip here.

West Bromwich Albion look set to sign Standard Liege midfielder Isaac Price after reported interest from Preston North End. (Lancashire Post), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

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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."