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Alex Neil comments on Leeds match

Alex Neil, Manager of Preston North End looks on prior to The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Sheffield United and Preston North End at ...
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Preston visit Leeds United tonight in a second-round Carabao Cup outing.

A general view of Elland Road during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Fulham at Elland Road on December 13, 2014 in Leeds, England.

Preston North End manager Alex Neil has admitted that he isn’t as concerned with tonight’s League Cup game with Leeds as he is this weekend’s clash with Bolton Wanderers.

The Lilywhites visit Elland Road tonight as Neil’s side take on high-flying Leeds hoping to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup.

However, Preston have taken only four points from a possible 15 in the Championship so far, leaving them 20th in the table.

And although Neil claims that he ‘desperately wants’ to beat Leeds, the former Norwich City man admits that Saturday’s visit of the Trotters to Deepdale is of far more significance.

He told The Lancashire Evening Post: “I could sit here and say this is the most important game of the season for us but I’m not going to lie because for me Bolton’s more important.

“It is an important game and it’s certainly important for the guys that are going to be playing because they need to perform well, not only for this game but going forwards.

“We desperately want to win but I’d much rather get three points on the board on Saturday and get our league campaign going again.”

It’s certainly a suggestion that Neil will field an under-strength XI but, then again, so will Leeds.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have a top-of-the-table clash with Boro on Friday, meaning that the Argentine, who made seven changes for the win over Bolton in the previous round, is likely to ring the changes once more.

General views of Elland Road before the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road on December 03, 2016 in Leeds, England.