Preston boss reveals injury worry after another Championship defeat – and explains decision to make changes

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed concerns over an injury worry following another Championship defeat, and justified the decision to make changes to his starting lineup. The match saw Andrija Vukcevic leave the pitch early due to a back problem, which the manager confirmed was an injury-related decision rather than a tactical one.

Vukcevic had previously shown his value, but felt discomfort after a challenge in the box. Heckingbottom also explained the rationale behind bringing fresh faces into the team, citing the need to keep players like Johnny Kenny sharp amid a packed fixture schedule. Additionally, the manager felt it was crucial to maintain pace in the attack following the absence of Delano Burgzorg, thus deciding to leave him out of the starting lineup.