PNE lineup v Salford City: Jack Whatmough captains Ryan Lowe’s side

Jack Whatmough is making his Preston North End debut tonight – and will captain the side against Salford City.

PNE are in Carabao Cup action as League Two side Salford City head to Deepdale for a spot in round two.

North End don’t exactly have a huge squad of senior players to call upon for this evening’s game, so we were always about to see young players in the side.

Veteran stopper Dai Cornell starts in goal behind what appears to be a back three of Jordan Storey, Patrick Bauer and Jack Whatmough.

New signing Whatmough was always likely to start this game as he looks to get his PNE career kickstarted.

The real surprise is that Whatmough has been named as PNE captain for tonight’s game, a decision few could have seen coming.

How many times have we seen a debutant captain at North End? Answers on a postcard for that one.

Whatmough getting the nod for the captaincy over fellow defenders Storey and Bauer – who have been at North End for a while now – feels like a surprise.

Kian Best starts at left wing back again with fellow youngster Josh Seary at right wing back.

Lewis Leigh will be starting midfield with support from Kian Taylor whilst Duane Holmes and Ben Woodburn will be given more freedom to get forward.

Will Keane will start up front again having scored in PNE’s 1-1 draw at Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.

Wonderkid Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile is on the bench, joining Freddie Woodman, Liam Lindsay, Andrew Hughes, Alan Browne, Ali McCann, Ryan Ledson, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen and Noah Mawene.

Preston North End starting XI: Cornell; Storey, Bauer, Whatmough; Seary, Taylor, Leigh, Best; Holmes, Woodburn; Keane.

Preston North End substitutes: Woodman, Lindsay, Hughes, Browne, McCann, Ledson, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen, Mawene, Rodriguez, Gentile.

Salford City starting XI: Cairns; Vassell, Mariappa, Tilt; Watson, Mallan; McLennan, Bolton, McAleny, Garbutt; Hendry.

Salford City substitutes: Wright, Ashley, Lund, Bailey, Smith, Berkoe, Shephard, Dackers, Henderson.

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