Preston boss Alex Neil has refused to be drawn on speculation linking Daniel Johnson to Rangers - after the player was left out of the squad entirely for the season curtain-raiser.

Johnson is a wanted man at Ibrox with a bid reportedly already on the table. He remains a Preston player at this time, though, and Neil hopes to keep him at the club.

That has not prevented the rumour mill from running rampant on his future, but Neil refused to add to the noise. Instead, following his side's home defeat to Swansea City, he chose to allow fans and pundits alike to draw their own conclusions as to why Johnson missed the squad.

He said: "There is no latest. I'm not going to discuss any individual player's situation, that isn't fair.

"People will jump to their own conclusions and don't really understand the situation. I'm not going to comment on it."

Johnson scored 12 goals in 34 appearances last season and would be an ideal signing for Steven Gerrard who is in need of midfield reinforcements. It comes as Ryan Jack was injured against Dundee United.

Bongani Zungu is also still available and recently made it clear he no longer players for Amiens.