Preston North End are unlikely to have any representation at Euro 2024 this summer.
We have been banging the drum for Scotland to consider Liam Lindsay but the PNE defender remains uncapped despite his fine form.
Mads Frøkjær-Jensen and Emil Riis aren’t part of the Denmark squad and there aren’t even many former players in action.
Anthony Gordon has a chance of making the England squad and Jordan Pickford should be in goal for the Three Lions.
Pickford has made good on the potential he showed in a North End shirt way back in the 2015-16 season.
One curiosity from PNE’s first season back in the Championship is that two current England goalkeepers turned out for the club.
Pickford was the first, but Sam Johnstone returned to the club on loan from Manchester United when Pickford was recalled by Sunderland.
Johnstone helped PNE win promotion in the first place and came back for just one month before going on to shine in the Premier League.
Now with Crystal Palace, Johnstone has been a regular in the England squad of late, backing up fellow former North Ender Pickford.
Sam Johnstone injury
Sadly, Johnstone’s Euro 2024 hopes have taken a colossal blow.
The Daily Mail now report that Johnstone has undergone surgery on an elbow injury and is set to miss the European Championships.
A freak elbow injury suffered whilst saving a shot in England training on Sunday means that Johnstone now faces a spell on the sidelines.
Johnstone will allegedly miss around three to fourth months, meaning he needs a miracle to be fit for Euro 2024.
This is a cruel blow for Johnstone, who was no doubt looking forward to being part of a major tournament.
Johnstone has developed into a quality goalkeeper and has pushed himself ahead of the likes of Nick Pope, Dean Henderson and possibly even Aaron Ramsdale in the England pecking order.
Johnstone was set to start against Belgium on Tuesday, showing how highly he is rated by Gareth Southgate, but his injury ruled him out.
PNE fans will have plenty of love for Johnstone, who was born in the area and is the son of a former North End goalkeeper in Glenn Johnstone.
We are sure that the North End fanbase will send their best wishes to Johnstone as he gets set for a period of rehabilitation in the coming weeks.
The post Former Preston North End star now ruled out of Euro 2024 after cruel injury appeared first on Deepdale Digest.
