Lewis earns high praise from PNE boss Hecky

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom was impressed by Jamal Lewis on full debut for the club.

- by George Hodgson

After two substitute appearances against Swansea City and Southampton, the recent free agent signing was handed his first start for PNE.

Lewis got through 57 minutes at The Den - where he was given the freedom to bomb forward and support the Lilywhites' attacks.

That was always going to be the message to North End's new man.

"Yeah, we try and attack with those wing-backs, don't we?" said Heckingbottom post-match. "But that's Jamal's game; he's very athletic, he is a runner and it helps us protect Thierry (Small), then bring Thierry's energy on.