Preston North End boss encourages former Manchester United starlet to find new club after trial at League One club cut short

Harrop has one year left on his current PNE deal but has been transfer listed by the club since May.

He was put up for sale alongside Matthew Olosunde and Tom Bayliss, the latter agreeing a deal to terminate his contract early to sign for League One Shrewsbury Town.

Olosunde has featured throughout pre-season and is pushing to keep his place at PNE, though is still available should the right offer come along.

Harrop has struggled for game time at Deepdale and last week cut a trial at Burton short.

Lowe said: “Josh knows he's surplus to requirements at Preston North End. Josh is a great kid, he's fit now but what I don't want to do is put him in for some game time and he gets injured and it stops him going somewhere else.

"Peter Ridsdale is in discussion with his agent now and we'll try and sort something out for Josh for the benefit of his career really.

"He needs to kick on. He did go to Burton for a few days, he was supposed to be there a week, but I believe the position they wanted to play him in didn't suit Josh.

"He's available, he's fit, if someone comes along they can have a look at him.”

With 12 months still to honour on his contract, PNE cannot force the 26-year-old to leave.

It would require willing on Harrop’s side in order to facilitate a move but Lowe feels that he must get himself to a point where he wants to go and find football elsewhere.

He said: “We have mentioned him to a few clubs, we put a circular out on Monday morning to say that he's available then it's whether someone wants to have a look at him.

"It's up to Josh as well, he's got to want to do it. I spoke to Josh on Friday and I said you need to go and sort your career out.

"He needs to sit down with his agent and his family and discuss where he goes next.

"The quicker he does that the quicker he starts playing football.”