'Just another week' for Ryan Lowe as signings still elude Preston North End

Lowe has been speaking for the past few weeks about his need to strengthen further, having signed four players earlier on in the window four more are still required for him to flesh out his squad and challenge for a top six spot.

He wants a left wing back, a right wing back and two strikers.

The former may not be too far away as Alvaro Fernandez was seen at Deepdale on Saturday speaking with the North End boss.

Though a deal is not yet done, the Spaniard and former Real Madrid man, was watching Lowe’s side with a view to moving to PR1 on loan from Manchester United.

The Preston boss spoke in the week about being close to four deals, which would see him fill all spots he’d like in his team, so things could potentially happen quite quickly as North End prepare for their trip to Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the Championship season on Saturday.

He said: "It's not a big week, it's just another week. We're on with things as we speak and we're waiting for the moment.

"When the moment comes we'll give you a ring (the press) and say here we go, it's done.

"But we've been on with it for a while and hopefully anytime soon we can get something sorted.”

Lowe does admit that he will be better placed should he get the four new players in and he is keen to keep competition up in the Lilywhites’ squad.

At the moment, PNE have just two fit strikers, one left wing back at the club and one right wing back, with Matthew Olosunde transfer listed.

He said: “I will be happier with four more signings. I was happy with the group last year but sometimes you have to make changes and people come and go, that's just how football is.

"We want four more players, the players we've added I feel are on par with what we've kept and what we've had.

"You want a competitive squad. I've said to the group, we're bringing players in to compete with each other.

"Once we get the bodies in and the quality, I'll be more than happy.”