Deadline day wait for PNE

Preston North End are adopting a wait and see policy as the clock moves towards the close of the transfer window tonight.
Tom BradshawTom Bradshaw
Tom Bradshaw

As things stand, it looks like being a quiet run-up to the 11pm deadline at Deepdale.

But if the chance surfaces to do a late deal for a player who would improve the squad, the Lilywhites are ready to make their move.

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They don’t want to go down the road of playing a numbers game and just bring in signings for the sake of it.

For much of the window, North End have been linked with Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw.

However, the Saddlers are under no pressure to sell and are pushing for promotion from League One.

They are in the position at the moment to ask for a high fee for the 23-year-old who has bagged 34 goals for them in a season-and-a-half.

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It is believed that PNE did submit a written bid for him earlier in the window which was knocked back.

Deadline day can of course produce surprises and a deal happening elsewhere can have a knock-on effect, with other players becoming available.

North End did much of their incoming business earlier in the window.

Callum Robinson’s loan was done in the first week of January, with Ben Pearson signed from Manchester United on January 11.

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Liam Grimshaw followed Pearson from United later the following week.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone had been the first signing of the window, coming on a 28-day loan from United.

He has since returned to Old Trafford, with Anders Lindegaard signing last week from West Bromwich Albion as his replacement.

Lindegaard will make his North End debut away at Derby County tomorrow night.

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It is up front where PNE look light, Joe Garner, Eoin Doyle and Jordan Hugill their three out-and-out strikers.

Robinson operates best in wide areas but could play down the middle.

Something to be mindful of is that Garner is on nine bookings, with one more triggering a two-game ban.

There are unlikely to be any outgoing deals today, with North End having done what they needed to in those terms.

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Goalkeeper Jamie Jones joined Stevenage on Friday, moving in a permanent deal.

He had been training with Luton recently but agreed terms to join a Boro side managed by Teddy Sheringham.

Jones was on the bench for Stevenage’s 2-1 defeat to York on Saturday.

Another keeper to have left Preston of late is Steven James, the youngster having signed permanently for non-league Droylsden after a loan spell with them.

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James was on the bench for three North End games this season – the first two against Middlesbrough and Crewe, then the visit to Charlton in October.

He has been overtaken by Matt Hudson as third-choice in the pecking order.