Mark Robins heaped praise on Lewis Baker after his second-half equaliser in Stoke’s 1-1 draw at Preston, saying the midfielder has “a lot of strings to his bow”.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden fired Preston ahead in the 10th minute but former Chelsea youngster Baker levelled with a 75th-minute spot-kick.
Baker, 29, had been on loan at Blackburn earlier in the season but was recalled in January following the appointment of former Coventry manager Robins, and he made no mistake after Liam Lindsay pulled down substitute Ali Al-Hamadi in the box.
Potters boss Robins said of Baker: “He’s been really good since he came back for me. We’ve played him in different positions, a little bit deeper and a little bit higher and higher is where he’s at his best because he’s closer to the goal.
“He’s got that ability and he’s been doing that really well but not only that, he’s been creating opportunities for others. He’s got a lot of strings to his bow.
“I don’t know what went on in the past, I just know [I wanted to bring him back] when I came in the door.
“He’s a really good player. I’ve known him for a long time and I like a lot of the things that he does. He’s a top professional. He’s a really good kid and I’m delighted to have him.”
Stoke were the better team and did the majority of the probing throughout the match, leaving Robins with mixed feelings.
He added: “We may have accepted a point away from home, especially after the last few away games that we’ve had, where we’ve not managed to see a game out. This time we have done but I thought we were better. I thought we created the better chances.
Kesler-Hayden’s effort was his first goal for the Lilywhites since joining the club on loan from Aston Villa in the summer.
The versatile 22-year-old has had an excellent season for Preston and North End manager Paul Heckingbottom, was keen to acknowledge the moment.
“I’ve not seen his first touch back but he’s been practising that touch, right foot, trying to find the bottom corner,” he said.
“I don’t know if it was instinct or if he felt the left-back was covering that space but he dragged it inside and managed to get the goal. I’m pleased for him and hopefully he can get a couple more before the end of the season.”
On the game itself, Preston were largely second-best and had to rely on some last-ditch blocks and poor finishing to keep hold of a point.
“We’ll take the point in the end,” Heckingbottom added. “I don’t think it’s a penalty so I’m disappointed we didn’t get three [points] but I don’t think the performance deserved three so we’ll take the point and move on.
“At the start of the second half, they got on top and I think they won all the duels but we’re going to get games like that.”
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