PNE keeper Mathew Hudson joins Bury on loan

The 19-year-old is set to make his Shakers debut in their pre-season friendly against Rangers at Ibrox on Friday night.

Hudson signed a new two-year contract last month but the plan was always to send him out on loan to get first-team experience.

His only appearance for North End came as a substitute in a Championship game against Leeds United at Elland Road in December 2015.

That day he came off the bench after Jordan Pickford had been sent-off his handling outside the box - a red card later rescinded on appeal.

Southport-born Hudson, who joined PNE's academy when he was 13, has been in and around the first-team squad since the club got back to the Championship, acting as third-choice back-up.

He was needed for the bench for much of the first-half of last season when Declan Rudd was out injured.

Anticipating a loan move for Hudson, North End signed former Ipswich Town keeper Michael Crowe on a Bosman in June.

Crowe, 22, will act as cover for Rudd and Chris Maxwell.

Bury's goalkeeper coach Brian Jensen who said: "I'm very pleased to get hold of such a young prospect like Mathew Hudson.

"He's a tall, agile goalkeeper who has been very unfortunate not to play more games for Preston but at only 19-years-old, he's a very calm and secure keeper which to me stands out.

"That maturity is something you need in League Two.

"Preston were looking to get him out to play 'men's football' which we can provide."