Lancashire

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire following his side's 2-1 defeat by Bolton:

"I said at half-time to the players I thought we could win the game. We were poor first-half in terms of the goals that we gave away," he said.

"Whether it was the first game or not but they were certainly not the goals that we want to give away.

"We gave ourselves a real mountain to climb and it was as simple as their enthusiasm, their energy about being in this league and the crowd - it seemed to catch us cold.

"One or two [players] won't play like that again. We need to be better but there were also some good moments and I'm pleased with some of the new boys."

Image source, Getty Images

Preston North End have signed Leo Leroy from Basel and Ipswich Town's Harry Clarke for undisclosed fees to take their summer signings to six.

Both defender Clarke and French midfielder Leroy have agreed three-year deals with Preston, who begin their Championship campaign at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Clarke, 25, came through the youth set-up at Arsenal before joining Ipswich in January 2023 and was part of their side which won back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League in 2023 and 2024.

He told the club website: "I can't wait to get started and show the North End fans what I can do."

Leroy, 26, played in Ligue 1 for Montpellier before spending the last two years in the Swiss Super League with Basel.

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said Leroy will bring quality, calmness and experience to what he hopes will be a promotion push at Deepdale.

"He's a good technical player, with great experience and someone who's comfortable getting on the ball in deeper positions, but also someone who likes to join the attacks as well," he added.

Two relegated clubs will go head-to-head to open up their returns to the Championship as Burnley welcome West Ham United on Sunday (16:00 BST).

The Clarets will be under the guidance of new head coach Nicky Hayen as they look to get a third successive promotion to the top flight this season.

While for the Hammers, the headlines remain on off-field issues.

• Since a run of three successive league wins between December 2018 and July 2020, Burnley are winless in each of their last eight league encounters with West Ham United (D3 L5).

• West Ham United have won on three of their last four league visits to Burnley (D1), including a 2-0 victory in the Premier League last season, one of only four away victories.

• Since a 1-2 defeat to QPR in April 2023, Burnley are unbeaten in their last 24 EFL Championship matches at Turf Moor (W15 D9).

• While Burnley picked up fewer home points in the Premier League last season than any other side (13), only Leeds United (15), Burnley (9) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (6) accrued fewer on the road than West Ham (17).

• West Ham's Jarrod Bowen was one of six players in the Premier League last season to record at least 20 goal involvements (9 goals, 11 assists), with only Bruno Fernandes (21) and Rayan Cherki (12) providing more assists

Image source, Getty Images

Preston North End left-back Thierry Small could be in contention to play in their opening Championship game against Bolton on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The 21-year-old picked up an ankle knock during a pre-season game against Bamber Bridge in July and boss Paul Heckingbottom is keeping an eye on "how he reacts" as he returns to training before making a decision.

"[Small] has made good progress this last week," Heckingbottom said.

"He trained fully today. In fact, he's out there now doing a bit extra because obviously he missed a fair chunk of pre-season.

"For someone who is a naturally fit boy, works hard, it will not take him long to get back up to speed."

Heckingbottom also confirmed that midfielder Ali McCann has taken the role of club captain following the departure of Ben Whiteman to Wrexham.

Defender Lewis Gibson has been appointed vice-captain.

"Ali epitomises most of, if not all, the good things that have been going on at Preston," Heckingbottom added.

"I think they are good role models and set good examples."

Watch the full interview below or listen on BBC Sounds here.

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