Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe has confirmed that Manchester United loanee Alvaro Fernandez is fine despite being taken off at half-time during Tuesday evening's Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield Town.
Earning his first start for the the Lilywhites since joining them on loan from United last month, the highly-rated defender provided two first-half assists to set the Championship side on their way to an emphatic 4-1 victory. He produced his two assists in the space of just ten minutes, with midfielder Ali McCann the benefactor on both occasions.
The Spaniard was a constant threat from left wing-back, leaving Preston fans purring over his potential. He had stepped off the bench in each of their opening two Championship fixtures, meaning this was their first opportunity to get a look at him from the start.
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His evening came to an end at half-time, with a roll of his ankle meaning that he could not return for the start of the second half. But much to everyone's relief, Lowe quickly played down fears that it was anything too serious.
The North End boss said: "He is fine. He just rolled his ankle. It was a precaution; he wanted to play on. He's alright."
Given how polished a performance he produced in the opening 45 minutes, both Lowe and the North End supporters will be hugely relieved that his early exit was nothing more than a precautionary measure. If deemed fit enough, he will be pushing for his first league start when the Lancashire outfit travel to Luton Town on Saturday.
"He's an immaculate kid, though, isn't he?" said Lowe raving about the youngster's performance. "Everything about him. He's asked questions on a daily basis, is playing a different role to what he is probably used to at Manchester United - as a left wing-back for us, not left-back. The competition with him and Robbie Brady down that side, let's have it right, he is learning off one of the best - who has played in the Premiership.
"He is educating him all the time, even before the game and after the game. He is a fantastic talent - you don't play for Real Madrid and Manchester United if you are not any good. We knew that when we saw him, we knew he'd bring something different to us and he certainly did that tonight."
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