This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Regular Punter’ series, where we gather original opinions from select, passionate fans of the clubs concerned on matters surrounding their team and share them with a wider audience…

Football League World's Preston North End fan pundit Tom Coulston-Herrmann has suggested that the only way of keeping key midfielder Ben Pearson will be to achieve promotion to the Premier League. 

Pearson has been integral to the success of Alex Neil's side this season–starting in all but one of Preston's Championship games this season.

The defensive midfielder has helped his side climb to third in the table, just one point behind league leaders West Bromwich Albion.

Teammate Daniel Johnson suggested earlier this week that the 24-year-old was the best deep-lying playmaker in the Championship and Coulston-Herrmann has indicated he agrees.

He said: "I personally believe he is the best deep-lying player in the Championship. His use of the ball is fantastic, while his ability to read the game and snuff out danger is second to none.

"I think he offers so much to the Preston side. When he plays we just look a much better team.

"He’s good at picking up the ball from our centre-backs and distributing it to dangerous players but he’s also probably the best in the league at seeing danger and stopping counter-attacks, which is something Neil has commented about in the past."

Pearson's current contract is set to expire in summer 2021 and Coulston-Herrmann has revealed his concern about the midfielder's future.

He said: "I certainly am worried about losing him. If we’re around where we are now come January I think we will keep hold of Pearson, but once it gets to the summer then I suspect there's a good chance he’ll be leaving as he’ll only have one year left on his contract.

"The only way I see him staying is if we were to get promoted."

Preston face a trip to face Reading on Saturday in what will be new boss Mark Bowen's first game in charge.

[freshpress-poll ]