BEN-FORCER

ALEX NEIL has hailed Preston’s Ben Pearson as the best holding midfielder in the Championship.

The North End boss, who watched Pearson shut out Blackburn’s tricky Bradley Dack in Saturday’s derby win at Deepdale, said: “Ben is sensational at this level. You won’t find a better No.6 in our league. He can do it all. He can tackle, battle, and pass.”

Preston tonight host Boro, whose boss Tony Pulis has warned defender Dael Fry, monitored by Premier League clubs, that he’s not ready for a move to the top flight.

“Dael could be anything but I’ve worked in the Premier and Dael is not ready for that yet,” he said.