On Tuesday night, a few PNE players were absent.
Freddie Woodman missed the Salford City friendly because of illness, according to Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe.
At Peninsula Stadium, the number one was listed in the Lilywhites starting lineup, but he left the squad during PNE’s warm-up. He didn’t seem to be moving too easily when he shortly joined a few other players seated in the stand.
Dai Cornell played the entire ninety minutes in goal for North End, who won 2-0 thanks to goals from Robbie Brady and Milutin Osmajic. Layton Stewart, a striker, was not involved, nor was Woodman. Following the game, Preston’s manager addressed the absences and allayed concerns about a possible injury to PNE’s goalie.
“Yeah, he just had a bit of a thigh strain last week, Layton,” said Lowe, after the win over Salford City. “So, we’ll just nurture him because of his history. He was on the grass today and yesterday and he’ll probably join in with training on Thursday and Friday.
Ali McCann was still out injured for North End, but late in the day, striker Osmajic made his way back from his extended absence and scored. Mads Frokjaer’s cross found the Montenegro international, who tucked home from close range. Before the new season began, Lowe was happy to see his number 28 on the score sheet.
