Doncaster midfielder Ben Whiteman is on Preston North End's radar

The 24-year-old is among their leading targets this month, a player who has been subject of interest from the Championship previously.

Barnsley looked at him in the last transfer window, with Hull admirers of him before they dropped into League One.

This month, it looks like North End will have to rival Queens Park Rangers for the services of Whiteman.

It is understood that PNE have been on contact with Doncaster about him but have yet to agree a fee.

He has two-and-a-half years left on his contract at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Midfield is an obvious area of focus for North End in this window.

They have three midfielders in Ben Pearson, Alan Browne and Daniel Johnson out of contract at the end of June.

The trio, together with defender Ben Davies, have been offered new deals with big salary increases in a bid to get them to stay.

If any of them were to leave this month, Whiteman would be one of the replacements.

Should the terms of the new contracts entice any of the midfielders to stay, getting a deal done for Whiteman would further increase the competition.

Rochdale-born Whiteman started his career at Sheffield United, having loans spells with Mansfield and Doncaster.

He signed full-time for Donny in January 2018 and has made 129 appearances since then, scoring 18 goals.

Doncaster have not played since December 22, their squad in self-isolation following positive Covid tests in the camp.

They are due to return to action in the FA Cup against Blackburn on Saturday.

Whiteman has played for them in the competition this season so would be cup-tied were Preston to land him.

Another midfielder on PNE’s radar, more likely to be a loan, is Brighton’s Jayson Molumby.

The Republic of Ireland international – a team-mate of Browne’s – spent last season on loan at Millwall.

He got more than 30 games at Championship level under his belt there and it was quite a surprise that the 21-year-old did not re-join the Lions in the last window.

Molumby has had limited game time with the Seagulls this season, starting twice in the Carabao Cup – he did not feature against PNE in the third round – and coming off the bench once in the Premier League.

Whether their interest in striker Ched Evans continues after the sacking of Joey Barton by Fleetwood yesterday, remains to be seen.

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