Preston North End boss knows there will be a fight for a new striker

Lowe has spoken recently of wanting a new forward, one who can create something out of nothing for the Lilywhites.

That sort of star quality is not easy to come by and even less so when others will be out for the same sort of thing.

The PNE boss knows who he would like however, and has a list to that effect, but to get a deal over the line he feels he may need to think outside of the box.

He said: “It is difficult, those types of strikers are sought after but we have a list of strikers who we'd love to take.

"It's one, can we afford them, two, what do their parent clubs want for them whether it is a permanent or a loan.

"We have to be creative and I think that's what we're doing. When you get the chance to speak to the players, whether it is on loan or a permanent, then that's down to us to sell it to them on what we're trying to do and how we're trying to do it.

"At half time last Saturday we were the highest team in the division for xG so any striker that looks at Preston North End can look and think I can go there, they create chances.

"That will be what sells it to some players. It is tough, every football club up and down the country are in for strikers.

"We haven't got loads of money to spend but we will try and be a bit more creative.”

With two loan deals agreed so far this summer, Lowe is not against adding to that tally.

The criteria starts and ends with a goalscoring, however they can get him through the door.

Lowe said: “We want someone who is scoring, who is a natural goalscorer. It can be whatever, loans, permanent, but it has to be right.

"We have a structure we have to stick to.

"You can have five loans, we definitely won't have five but if we can get two more and leave one open just in case. Whatever it is we will look to get one in.”