Preston North End have no current plans to enter the loan market unless they are hit by a spate of injuries and suspensions.
After getting Akpo Sodje’s signature on a new one-month deal, North End’s chairman of football Peter Ridsdale is pleased with the settled look of the Deepdale squad.
Seven-goal Sodje extended his stay yesterday, his previous short-term contract having come to an end after the MK Dons game on Sunday.
The Lilywhites have limited themselves to offering their top scorer month-to-month deals as they continue to monitor a niggling knee injury which he is carrying.
Sodje agreeing to stay wasn’t a surprise – he is unable to join another club outside of the transfer window.
This is the third short-term deal he has signed with North End since arriving on trial during pre-season.
Ridsdale told the Evening Post: “We’re pleased to have come to another agreement with Akpo.
“Him signing another contract gives us continuity and we hope he continues doing well.
“He’s been scoring goals and playing his part in a decent start to the season.
“His situation is something we are trying to manage carefully.
“With Akpo signed up, we have a settled squad.
“At the moment the manager sees no reason to go into the loan market.
“If needs be we would – for example if we got a few injuries and suspension.
“We’ve still got people to come back from injury – Lee Holmes and Lee Trundle.
“They will be two important players for us when they’re available again.”
Holmes isn’t far off making a return to training after nearly two months out with a knee injury.
The winger suffered a badly gashed knee and ligament damage after colliding with an advertising board in August’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Trundle still has some time to go before he can return from knee surgery.
Meanwhile, PNE boss Graham Westley says Will Hayhurst shouldn’t be disheartened by his half-time substitution in the MK Dons clash.
The teenager was replaced by John Mousinho as Westley sought to get an extra player into the centre of midfield to help combat the visitors’ system.
Said Westley: “Will is a young player, a great prospect and will be a terrific player in time.
“In bigger games against more experienced players, he is going to be facing experiences which are new to him.
“It’s all part of the learning process, and I just felt things needed to change at half-time on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, tickets are now on sale for PNE’s visit to League One leaders Tranmere a week on Saturday.
They have a 2,000 allocation at Prenton Park with adults charged £22, youths (17-22) £11, Under-16s £6 and Over-60s £5.
With it being a Poppy Appeal fixture, tickets for members of the armed forces past and present are just £5 – current ID or discharge papers will be needed when buying a ticket.
The Lancashire Evening Post has launched a FREE football app which is now available to download on iPhone and Android devices.
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