Paul Heckingbottom's grip on the Preston North End job could hinge on Saturday's Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers, according to BBC Radio Lancashire's Tom Sandells.
The Preston boss has endured a difficult start to the season, and Sandells suggests the pressure is mounting as scrutiny grows over his position at Deepdale. With the rivalry fixture against Blackburn looming, the outcome is being viewed as a potential turning point — a result that could either ease the tension around Heckingbottom or intensify calls for change.
While the report stops short of predicting an immediate departure, it frames the derby as a significant marker in assessing whether Heckingbottom can turn Preston's fortunes around this season. As BBC News reports, the club's struggles have put the manager under increasing focus, making this weekend's clash far more than just local bragging rights on the line.