12-09-2025, 14:49
[b]HECK
Paul Heckingbottom is looking forward to seeing how his team and the club’s supporters react to the league leaders coming to Deepdale.
So far this season, North End have taken maximum points from their home league matches, against Leicester City and Ipswich Town – two sides fancied to be right at the top of the division come the end of the season.
This Saturday, PNE will take on a Boro side who have won all four of their opening fixtures and top the table at this early stage of the season.
Hecky said: “Everyone enjoys these games. I think it's another sellout from the away end as well, which our fans always respond to and seem to raise their game as well.
“I think everyone's looking forward to it. Everyone knows it's going to be tough. Everyone knows it's going to be a good atmosphere. In my time here these have been good and big games that sort of take care of themselves.
“We're under no illusions of how tough it's going to be but we've shown that when we produce the levels of performances for the 90-odd minutes, whatever it takes, we can compete and beat what is in front of us.”
PNE will be boosted by the return from injury of Alfie Devine, who missed the match prior to the international break, while a late decision will be made on top scorer Milutin Osmajić.
Deadline day signing Harrison Armstrong will come into contention after joining up with his new teammates on Thursday, following a successful international break with England U19s.
Hecky said: “He was well sought-after. He had a good season at Derby last year where he sort of announced himself and the fact he’s 18 playing at that level.
“But we think there's more to come from him. He certainly does. It'll be interesting to see where we can take him this season and what he ends up bringing because he's got a great career ahead of him, I'm certain of that. Who knows where he'll end up for Everton in terms of his career.
“I'm excited to be working with him. He's someone who we've certainly not just brought in for the numbers. We think he can help us, we think he improves us, and we're looking forward to getting him on the pitch and working with him.”
There are a number of players still to return from their respective injuries, but the addition of Armstrong and the return of Devine means that Heckingbottom has a wealth of options at his disposal.
“I’m hoping we see that with the bench on Saturday and then from then on throughout the season,” added the manager. “There's too many times last season where it wasn't difficult picking a bench.
“I say it all the time, every game, the 11 that start it’s not about that. The 16 for every given game who get on the pitch is big, but from that you want to get the 16 out of the 18 and then throughout the season it's going to be the 25 (man squad). The more often we can get the 25 all fit and available, I think the better chances we've got throughout the season.”
Paul Heckingbottom is looking forward to seeing how his team and the club’s supporters react to the league leaders coming to Deepdale.
So far this season, North End have taken maximum points from their home league matches, against Leicester City and Ipswich Town – two sides fancied to be right at the top of the division come the end of the season.
This Saturday, PNE will take on a Boro side who have won all four of their opening fixtures and top the table at this early stage of the season.
Hecky said: “Everyone enjoys these games. I think it's another sellout from the away end as well, which our fans always respond to and seem to raise their game as well.
“I think everyone's looking forward to it. Everyone knows it's going to be tough. Everyone knows it's going to be a good atmosphere. In my time here these have been good and big games that sort of take care of themselves.
“We're under no illusions of how tough it's going to be but we've shown that when we produce the levels of performances for the 90-odd minutes, whatever it takes, we can compete and beat what is in front of us.”
PNE will be boosted by the return from injury of Alfie Devine, who missed the match prior to the international break, while a late decision will be made on top scorer Milutin Osmajić.
Deadline day signing Harrison Armstrong will come into contention after joining up with his new teammates on Thursday, following a successful international break with England U19s.
Hecky said: “He was well sought-after. He had a good season at Derby last year where he sort of announced himself and the fact he’s 18 playing at that level.
“But we think there's more to come from him. He certainly does. It'll be interesting to see where we can take him this season and what he ends up bringing because he's got a great career ahead of him, I'm certain of that. Who knows where he'll end up for Everton in terms of his career.
“I'm excited to be working with him. He's someone who we've certainly not just brought in for the numbers. We think he can help us, we think he improves us, and we're looking forward to getting him on the pitch and working with him.”
There are a number of players still to return from their respective injuries, but the addition of Armstrong and the return of Devine means that Heckingbottom has a wealth of options at his disposal.
“I’m hoping we see that with the bench on Saturday and then from then on throughout the season,” added the manager. “There's too many times last season where it wasn't difficult picking a bench.
“I say it all the time, every game, the 11 that start it’s not about that. The 16 for every given game who get on the pitch is big, but from that you want to get the 16 out of the 18 and then throughout the season it's going to be the 25 (man squad). The more often we can get the 25 all fit and available, I think the better chances we've got throughout the season.”
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