Preston North End head coach Robbie Heckingbottom has reflected on the club’s recent pre-season training camp in Spain and their upcoming friendly against Cambridge United.
What did Heckingbottom say about the Spain camp?
Heckingbottom described the two-week stint in Spain as valuable for squad cohesion and fitness, with players working on tactical drills and match sharpness. The camp followed a difficult Championship season that ended with Preston in 14th place on 60 points from 46 games. With a goal difference of -7 (55 scored, 62 conceded), Heckingbottom admitted the side needed to tighten up defensively before the new campaign.
How did the last season end for Preston?
Preston’s final 2025 table showed 15 wins, 15 draws and 16 losses, a run that included a heavy 1-3 home defeat to Southampton on 2 May 2026. Their recent form read LWLLW, with two straight losses to close the campaign. The side finished 35 points behind league leaders Coventry, highlighting the gap to the promotion places.
What’s next for the Lilywhites?
The focus now shifts to the Cambridge United friendly, a final chance to test new recruits and youngsters ahead of the Championship curtain-raiser. Heckingbottom stressed the importance of building momentum early, adding that every point will matter in a league where Coventry already hold a commanding lead. With the squad regrouping after Spain, the friendly offers a low-pressure environment to iron out any remaining issues before competitive football returns.
Preston kick off their 2026-27 league campaign with a home tie against Middlesbrough on 8 August, a date now less than two weeks away. The Lilywhites will be desperate to start the new season stronger than they finished the last, especially after conceding three goals in their final outing.
