Celtic target Ben Pearson has been told that he won’t play again for Preston this season.
The midfielder is out of contract in June, having resisted a new contract at Deepdale Alex Neil is preparing for the inevitable with new players brought in to his side as Preston try to launch a late bid for a Play Off place.
Pearson started his career at Manchester United before joining Preston in January 2016 after impressing on loan at Barnsley.
With 153 Championship appearance behind him he has little left to prove at that level with Celtic first linked with an interest through Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.
Speaking about Pearson’s absence from the Preston side former Hamilton and Norwich boss Alex Neil told Lancs Live:
Listen, Ben would’ve been fit to be in the squad today, but we’ve signed some new lads that need to get minutes now.
Ben has made it clear to us that his future doesn’t lie here come the end of the season. And, there is no point us going and strengthening positions and bringing players in if I’m not going to give them a shot and play them.
Celtic can sign any English based player on a pre-contract agreement provided their current deal runs out in the summer.
The uncertainty over the future of Neil Lennon is bound to be a factor in any decision with other Championship sides likely to be interested in the 26-year-old at the end of the season.