More PNE business imminent

Preston North End are poised to do more transfer business during the early days of pre-season training to follow up their four summer signings.
Eoin Doyle has returned to Preston after last season's loan spellEoin Doyle has returned to Preston after last season's loan spell
Eoin Doyle has returned to Preston after last season's loan spell

Eoin Doyle yesterday joined Tommy Spurr, Simon Makienok and Chris Maxwell in the list of close-season recruits at Deepdale.

The Lilywhites should have a wide player and goalkeeper to add to the squad soon, both possibly in by the weekend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is understood that they have a couple of wingers under consideration, either of which would require a fee.

Neither are thought to be Adam Reach or Lloyd Isgrove, who North End have had an interest in over the summer.

Reach is doing pre-season training with Middlesbrough before the Premier League new boys make a decision over his future, so he could yet be available further down the line.

Who battles with Maxwell for the goalkeeper’s gloves this season should be finalised in the next 72 hours.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Anders Lindegaard has been top of the list since his loan spell last season.

A string of loan options have also been looked at as a fallback, any move for Danish stop-stopper Lindegaard dependant on him settling up his contract at West Bromwich.

Like Lindegaard, striker Doyle was on loan last season and Simon Grayson saw enough from him – some of it behind the scenes – to make his move a permanent one.

The Irishman has joined for an undisclosed fee from Cardiff City, signing a three-year contract.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having scored only four goals last season, Doyle has work to do to convince fans he is worth the investment, a fact he acknowledges himself.

Said Doyle: “I really enjoyed it here when I was on loan.

“But I was disappointed with my return in front of goal, as any striker would be.

“So I’m grateful to get this second chance and the plan is for me to score a lot more.”

Grayson admits that North End have not seen the best of Doyle but thinks the full-time switch will be of benefit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Preston boss said: “We feel that Eoin has many, many good attributes.

“I think when a player is on loan from another club they always have that safety valve of knowing that they can go back to their parent club.

“Now he feels settled, he knows where he is for the next few years.

“He missed pre-season with us last year so that will be another bonus for us this time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“When I look at the stats every day in training he’s in the top three of the hardest working trainers and one of the best finishers at the club.

“We saw bits of him last year, but there’s more to come from him, hence why we wanted to sign him.”

Meanwhile, there have been amendments to two of PNE’s fixtures later in the season.

The derby with Blackburn at Ewood Park on March 18 will now have a 1pm kick-off.

Their visit to Huddersfield will now be on Good Friday (April 14) having originally been scheduled to be played the following day.