Heckingbottom surprised at West Brom's decline

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom knows what it takes to win promotion from the Championship after his spell at Sheffield United [Shutterstock] Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom claims no-one expected to see West Brom fighting for Championship survival. The Baggies are just two points above the drop zone after a chastening campaign, which has seen them dispense with Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay. Heckingbottom says West Brom will be fighting for their lives when they come to Deepdale on Saturday - and that is just what he wants.

He feels this edge will bring the best out of his side after guiding them to two wins and two draws in their last four games to stop their season petering out. He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We've got to enjoy the challenge of the games. We're playing against a team in West Brom, who no-one would have picked to be down there.

"They've got a squad full of talent and they're going to be hungry, they'll be fighting. "There's going to be an edge to it. Good, that's what we want because we want to have that edge of fighting at the top end of the league, so it's good practice.

"So let's embrace that one, just like we did last week when we were playing Leicester. "They are going to be giving everything, putting bodies on the line and giving absolutely everything for their survival. So it's going to be a huge test.