2 Preston youngsters that could have a big 2023 | OneFootball

As we enter 2023, Preston North End will surely not have too much to complain about their season so far.

Sure, there have been things in the first half of 2022/23 that could have gone better, but to be well within the hunt for the play-off places come this stage sets up an exciting second half of the season.

With the new year upon us, though, here at FLW, we’ve tasked ourselves with identifying two youngsters at each club that could be set for a big 2023, whether that be a first-team breakthrough or a big jump in development.

With that said, below are two youngster at PNE who we think could be set for a big improvement in the new calendar year.

Finlay Cross-Adair

At just 17-years-old, Finley Cross-Adair has plenty of development time ahead of him, but, he could be one of the PNE youngsters to watch in 2023.

Only last month the young forward put pen to paper on a professional deal with the club, and despite his tender age, Cross-Adair has three Championship outings to his name.

Quiz: Have any of these 25 ex-Preston North End players ever played for a London based team?

1 of 25

Dave Nugent

Yes No

The last of these was a 22-minute cameo versus QPR just prior to Christmas, and being trusted to play those sorts of minutes at 17 says a lot about his talent and the trust Ryan Lowe has in him.

Having worked his way through the PNE youth ranks over the years, what a story it would be if he can go on to be a success in the first team eventually.

Mikey O’Neill

18-year-old Mikey O’Neill could be another one to keep an eye out for now that 2023 has arrived.

It looked as though he would be a firm part of the squad plans after going away to Spain in pre-season, but after an injury setback, suffered.

He has six Championship appearances to his name, and having recently featured twice in December, we’d certainly expect that tally to keep growing well into 2023.

As with Cross-Adair, though, O’Neill still has plenty of development ahead of him to come.