Ched Evans’ next step is outlined as the Preston North End striker aims to return from serious injury
Preston North End striker Ched Evans will see a specialist in the coming weeks with a view to increasing his participation in first team training afterwards.
The No. 9 underwent surgery in the summer after developing a “serious medical issue” at the end of last season. His future as a footballer is uncertain, but the Welshman has been in and around the team for a few weeks now as he aims to return to action. PNE was cautious with the 34-year-old throughout the process, given the severity of his injuries.
Lowe discussed the “positive news” Evans received last month that things were moving in the right direction in terms of healing. Boss Preston vowed not to push anything against Evans at any time, but his bones continue to grow. The North End boss has set a December deadline for Evans to play again and Lowe hopes the upcoming analysis will provide more motivation.
“The next thing really for Ched is a bit of contact,” said Lowe. “But that is something Ched thrives off, so I don’t think there will be any issue there. The fact of the matter is that the intensity of training has gone through the roof. You are wincing sometimes, but there are places up for grabs and those lads are wanting to get into the team, play and perform. If it is a tackle from Ryan Ledson, Ben Whiteman or young Kian Best then it’s a tackle; they are going in. So yeah, there have been a few bumps and bruises but the competition for places is important.”
Lowe added: “I just had ten minute with Ched, then. He came in to see us, you are looking at the board and he’s saying the same thing – that there is competition for places and that’s what you want. So yeah, we’ve got to get them back and once we’ve got them back it’s getting them up to speed. Once they are up to speed there will be healthy competition all over the park. “
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Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe has suggested that Liam Millar wants to earn a permanent contract at the club.
Signed on loan from Swiss side FC Basel on transfer deadline day, Millar has started impressively in Preston colours. He scored a fine solo goal on debut against Plymouth Argyle and played a pivotal role in PNE’s opener that day too. Millar then played 90 minutes in the midweek victory over Birmingham City and showed flashes of his quality again.
“This year, we’ve found the solution to finding our own players. The only two loan lads are obviously Calvin Ramsay and Liam Millar, but Calvin is obviously injured at the moment and Liam – if you asked him now, he’d like to try and make the deal permanent as quickly as he possibly can. He loves it here already and again, that’s something we can look at further down the line.
“But, there is a real camaraderie about the group; knowing that the league is as tough as it ever has been, with the teams coming down. For the lads to stick together through thick and thin – they have had some meetings between themselves, the staff have and it all just comes together as one. At the moment it is going really well and the togetherness of the group is fantastic.”
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