' PRESTON '

Opposition ones to watch: Preston North End


By Tom Prosser

Tuesday 13th September 2016

After making a slow start to the season Preston made three signings in the closing days of the transfer window in a bid to kick-start their season.


Cardiff drew 0-0 at Deepdale last season and We take a look at the Preston players that Cardiff will be looking to get the better of in their bid to take all three points this time around.

Anders Lindegaard

The former Man United Goalkeeper signed a one year contract with Preston this summer following his release from West Brom at the end of the season. The Danish Keeper joined Preston on loan from the Baggies in January 2016 and played against Cardiff at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Bluebirds 2-1 victory.

Lindegaard spent five years at Old Trafford but only made 19 appearances for Man United during this spell. He is now Preston’s first choice keeper and is playing regularly again for the first time since he left Danish club Aalesund in 2010.

Bailey Wright

The 24-year-old has been the mainstay of the Preston defence over the last few seasons since making his first team debut in 2010. Wright has gone on to make nearly 200 appearances for Preston and is vastly experienced at football league level despite only being 24.

Wright played a starring role at the back for Preston as they earned promotion to the Championship from League One in 2014/15. He held his own in his first season in the Championship last season and will look to continue his development this season.m

He was included in the Australia squad for the 2014 World Cup and has gone on to win 12 caps for his country.


Paul Gallagher

Gallagher joined Preston on a permanent basis from Leicester last summer and is a very forward thinking midfielder. The 32-year-old is a set piece specialist and is known for being a threat from free kicks.

Gallagher impressed during two loan spells at Deepdale in League one and was a key part of the side that won promotion to the Championship. Gallagher scored five goals in 41 Championship appearances last season and has one Scotland cap to his name.

Jermaine Beckford

The Striker struggled with injury last season and was certainly a big miss for Preston in their return to the Championship. Beckford is a typical goal scorer that has a good strikers instinct and will score goals at any level.

He was restricted to just 10 appearances last season and scored two goals. Beckford scored a hat trick for Preston against Swindon in the 2014/15 League one playoff final against Swindon and will be dangerous if he is back to full fitness and form.

Star Man- Aidan McGeady

McGeady joined Preston on loan from Everton on the day before deadline day. The 30-year-old has the ability to be a real force in the Championship and would add a lot to any squad in the division.

He Struggled to get into the Everton side last season and was sent on loan to Sheffield Wednesday on deadline day of the January transfer window and featured 13 times for the Owls scoring one goal.

The 85 times capped Republic of Ireland international is capable of causing Cardiff problems on his day and will certainly add experience and quality to the Preston side.