Sam Stone

Tue 27 December 2022 18:10, UK

Ryan Lowe has cast doubt over Alan Browne, Ali McCann and Emil Riis ahead of Preston’s Championship clash against West Brom.

The trio all featured from the substitutes bench in the Boxing Day loss to Huddersfield after returning from injury but Lowe remains unsure about their participation for his side’s trip to The Hawthorns.

The Preston manager believes the trio are potentially at risk of re-aggravating their injuries should they be forced to play against the Baggies.

“It’s nice to have them all back but we rushed them back so I’m just cautious that we don’t rush them too much. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, you think could you have freshened it up and played them but we’ve been limited on numbers,” said Lowe (Lancashire Evening Post, 27 December).

“They’ve come back too soon, me and Jacko [Matt Jackson, physio] have spoken about it. Emil trained once, Ali trained once and Browney trained two days, Hughesy trained one day.”

Boost

It’s interesting to see the Preston boss make this admission on the fitness of his key men ahead of the fixture on Thursday (29 December). It seems as if it will be a risk for the former Plymouth boss to play the trio at The Hawthorns, but after his side’s poor result against the Terriers he could be inclined to throw them in.

Carlos Corberan will be looking to take full advantage of Preston’s injury issues to continue the Baggies’ impressive run of form. It was excellent to see Albion bounce back from their defeat against Coventry with a comfortable win against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

West Brom currently sit just three points below the playoff places and after their dismal start to the season, it’s remarkable that the top six is even being talked about.

If their current form continues, Corberan will be fancying his chances of steering his side into playoff contention come the end of the season.

In other West Brom news, Jake Livermore is facing an uncertain future after the latest Carlos Corberan decision