Preston North End left-back Josh Earl joins Burton Albion on loan

It is the 22-year-old's third loan spell away from Deepdale in the last 18 months, with him having played at Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich last season.

With Greg Cunningham signed to provide competition for Andrew Hughes in the left-back spot, North End want Earl to gain further experience at Burton.

Earl had a short spell back in the team either side of Christmas, starting five games and coming off the bench once.

North End manager Alex Neil said: "We don't want to stop Josh's progress so he needs to continue getting games.

"He was on loan last season and once you get that taste of first-team football, as a younger player that development is crucial.

"I've spoken regularly about this, if we can't guarantee lads first-team football here, we need to get them first-team games elsewhere.

"Every player has got different circumstances in terms of who is potentially ahead of them, how much cover we have got in their position, where they could potentially go.

"Josh has got huge potential. He's 6ft 4, he's big, strong and quick.

"I'd say at the moment, inconsistent is probably the best way to describe him.

"In certain games he has done particularly well but in other games he hasn't done enough, so we need to get him more experience.

"Andrew Hughes has been really solid in Josh's position which has made things difficult for him."

Neil thinks Earl had potential to play in different positions and further first-team games should help him find his strongest role.

"If Josh is going to be a really top left-back, left centre-back or left wing-back, he needs to continue to play on a regular basis. I think he could be anything he turns his mind to.

"To be a centre-back, aggression in terms of challenging in the air is important, so too his reading of the game.

"As a left-back, attacking-wise he is very good. Defensively one versus one, we need to expose him to that more.

"He is probably more naturally a wing-back at the moment for me. We only go to that shape from time to time."

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here