It has been a hugely impressive start to the season for Preston North End.

Alex Neil's side are still unbeaten at home in the league, and with six wins and three draws from their opening 11 league games of the season, enter the October international break third in the Championship standings.

There is, of course, a long way to go in the campaign, but Preston may still be confident of competing for a place in Premier League next year all season, particularly given the quality of performances of a number of their players so far this season.

Here, we take a look at the five members of the Preston squad we think have performed best so far this season.

5. Sean Maguire

One player who has been impressive for Preston so far this season is Sean Maguire.

Having seen his opportunities limited by injuries during his past two seasons with Preston, the Irishman is currently enjoying an extended run in the side, and he does seem to be taking advantage of it.

Maguire has already matched the return of three league goals from 26 league games last season in his nine Championship appearances so far in the current campaign, with his pace and movement into the penalty area making him a difficult prospect for plenty of Championship defences.

4. Paul Gallagher

Even at 35-year-old, Gallagher is still proving to be a key player for Preston.

Having featured in all 11 of North End's league games this season - eight times from the start - it seems as though he is showing no signs of slowing up, which will be a relief for manager Alex Neil.

Gallagher's quality of pass and desire to compete for the ball means he is still a useful asset to Preston as they look to dictate play in the centre of the park, while his stunning free-kick in a 3-0 win over Wigan was perhaps the best demonstration yet that he still has an eye for goal.

3. Patrick Bauer

Signed on a free transfer from Charlton during the summer transfer window, Bauer is looking like one of the free transfers of the season at this level.

The centre back has been ever-present in Preston's starting XI in the Championship, and when you look at his performances so far this season, it is easy to see why.

Bauer's presence and commitment have made him a hugely challenging prospect for Championship attackers to get past, with his considerable bravery making him a huge asset for Preston when it comes to set-pieces, both in terms of attacking them, and defending them.

2. Ben Davies

Alongside Bauer, Davies has formed a hugely impressive central defensive partnership for Preston, which could be all so important for Alex Neil's side this season.

That is of course, assuming that Davies remains with the club throughout the entirety of the campaign.

According to a recent report from The Sun, a number of Premier League sides, including Everton, Newcastle and Brighton, are keeping tabs on the defender, with the latter apparently readying a £10million bid for the 24-year-old.

The quality and number of Premier League sides interested in Davies, along with Brighton's reported valuation of him, is perhaps the best indicator there is, of just how good the centre back has been this season.

1. Daniel Johnson

It could be argued that so far this season, Daniel Johnson has a strong claim of not just being Preston's best player, but also the Championship's best player.

Despite Johnson's role as a midfielder, only Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored more league goals than the seven fired in by Johnson, while no player has provided more assists than the Preston man.

With Johnson also being named the Championship Player of the Month for August, it is clear just how highly-rated the 27-year-old's performances have been so far this season, and it does seem as though he is going to be crucial to Preston's hopes of continuing this brilliant start to the season throughout the rest of the campaign.