CONOR VOTED PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Posted on March 28, 2011 in Millwall

After 16 days of voting, you have decided that your PNE Online Community Blog’s January Player Of The Month is 19 year old full-back Conor McLaughlin, who accrued 50% of the votes.

Please leave your messages of congratulations to Conor on the site.

This is much deserved, it’s just a shame that he suffered such an horrific injury earlier this month in the Bristol game. He has been one of the few shining lights in such a disastrous season for PNE so far.
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MCLAUGHLIN OUT WITH FRACTURE

Posted on March 28, 2011 in Millwall

Preston North End right-back Conor McLaughlin is on the early road to recovery after undergoing ankle surgery on Sunday.

And with the procedure, completed at Manchester’s Alexandra hospital, going according to plan the Northern Ireland U21 star now has to endure six to eight months on the sidelines.

The 19-year-old suffered a fracture to his left fibula and a dislocated ankle in Saturday’s Championship clash with Bristol City at Deepdale.

His injury came as a bitter blow to manager Phil Brown who had earlier praised the youngster as being the stand out performer in recent weeks.

Conor has played in North End’s last six games and has been popular amongst the fans for his hard working, skilful play.

But North End’s number 37 is in good hands with a strong medical team at Deepdale who have been closely monitoring the injury from the moment he was stretchered off on Saturday.

Talking exclusively to PNE.Com about Conor’s injury, head physio at the club, Matt Jackson, said: “Conor suffered a fracture dislocation of the left ankle, fracturing the lower end of his fibula and rupturing the ligament complex on the inside of his ankle and the fibrous band that secures the fibula to the tibia on the outside of his ankle.

“After relocating his ankle and stabilising the joint on the pitch he was stretchered off. Conor went down to the local A&E where he had X-Rays and was put in a back-slab plaster of Paris cast which is a half-and-half cast that allows for swelling.

“On Saturday evening we transferred him over to the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle Hulme where he was seen by Tim Clough, who is one of the leading ankle surgeons in the North of the country.

“After further X-Rays the decision was made that he would need an operation so at 10am the following morning he had the fracture fixed with a plate and underwent a repair of the syndesmosis.

“The ankle was reduced to its normal position, post-operatively the ankle was nice and stable, the technique to repair the syndesmosis allows for a small degree of movement which the joint needs for the ankle to function normally.”

The injury happened directly in front of the technical area in the final stages of the first period and within seconds the medical staff were on the pitch to help the injured teenager.

Jackson was aided by the services of Mick Rathbone, Dominic Lakeland and Jonathan Sumner in a swift procedure which left the youngster on the Deepdale turf for five minutes.

Talking about the incident, Jackson continued: “It happened right in front of the dug out so I saw it really clearly. He has gone up to win the header and there has been a little bit of contact meaning that when he landed he rolled over the top of his foot.

“He planted his forefoot in the ground and his momentum has carried his body forward as he fell back on to his foot.

“His foot was trapped underneath him and it rotated for about 120 degrees which is a heck of a lot more than the ankle joint is designed to move.”

And talking about the pitchside procedure, Jackson added: “We relocated his ankle on the pitch whilst we were positioning Conor onto his back so we could put him onto the stretcher.

CONOR KEEN ON LOAN MOVE

Posted on March 28, 2011 in Millwall

Preston North End youngster Conor McLaughlin would be keen on a loan move in the New Year after signing a new contract at Deepdale.

McLaughlin has agreed a one-year extension to be tied to the Championship club until 2013 and there is also the option of a further 12 months.

The full-back had only signed his previous deal in January and made his debut for Darren Ferguson’s side against Hull City last month.

The 19-year-old is eager to experience more first-team football and is open to a loan move when the transfer window reopens.

“I have been knocking on the door and have been on the bench a few times, after this hopefully I will be able to get another appearance or two or go out on loan to build up some first-team experience,” McLaughlin told the club’s official website.

“At the moment, I need to toughen myself up so playing a few games for another club in the Football League may help me.”

3 YEAR DEAL FOR CONOR

Posted on March 28, 2011 in Millwall

Preston defender Conor McLaughlin has signed a one-year contract extension keeping the Northern Ireland U21 international at Deepdale until 2013.

The 19-year-old told the club website: “I was quite surprised because I’m only a year into my current contract.

“I was just getting my head down and continuing to work hard.”

McLaughlin made his first-team debut as a substitute against Hull City last month. The extended deal includes an option for a further year.

He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in January.

MCLAUGHLIN SIGNS NEW CONTRACT

Posted on March 28, 2011 in Millwall

Teenage full-back Conor McLaughlin has signed a two-and-a-half year professional contract with Preston.

The 18-year-old has been rewarded for his form for the Deepdale club’s reserves and youth team.

McLaughlin, a Northern Ireland Under-20 international, told the club website: “The first year I’ll have to work hard and then push on in my second year.

“I think I can improve my defending and my attacking side and if I put them together hopefully I’ll get my chance.”

MCLAUGHLIN CAPPED BY NORTHERN IRELAND

Posted on March 28, 2011 in Millwall

First year scholar Conor McLaughlin has added to PNE’s growing list of international representatives after making his Northern Ireland U19 debut in their 2-0 victory over Iceland at Coleraine Showgrounds on Monday night.

McLaughlin lined up at centre half for his country and played the full 90 minutes as goals from Port Vale’s James Lawrie and Celtic forward Deaglan Bunting sealed victory in one of two warm up games between the two countries this week, in which Northern Ireland will name two entirely different sides to test the resources available to them.

Youth team coach Jamie Hoyland and chief youth scout Jim McCluskie flew out to see the Belfast born youngster in action, with Hoyland telling PNE.com:

“Conor played very well on the night, and getting a run out like that is great for his long term development.

“We were delighted that he was involved in the game and hopefully he can continue to be considered for selection at that level.”

The Irish face England, Albania and Serbia when the qualifying groups for the 2009 UEFA U19 Championships are staged in Northern Ireland next month, so McLaughlin will no doubt be hoping he’s done enough to confirm his place for the big matches, which include the all-UK tie to be played at Windsor Park on October 10th.