Championship transfer news. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)Championship transfer news. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Championship transfer news. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Preston North End starlet seals exit, Derby County receive boost in international defender chase

Preston North End were thrashed 4-0 by Mick McCarthy's resurgent Cardiff City last weekend, despite dominating possession in their Championship clash.

Speaking after the demoralising defeat, Lilywhites captain Alan Browne admitted that the side's pre-season hopes of making the play-offs now look to be unlikely to happen.

He stated: "I think, being realistic, the play-offs are a long way off. Other than something magnificent happening, which at the moment I don't see.

"It's all about being as strong as we can possibly can. We have a lot of new players and we haven't clicked straight away, and in preparation for next season we need to gel.

"Our ambition all along was the play-offs, but we are not up there. We can't feel sorry for ourselves, because we could easily get dragged into it at the other end if we got on a bad run - we need results."

Tomorrow night, Preston will look to bounce back with a much-needed win, when they take on QPR - a side they beat 2-0 back in October - at Deepdale.

Here are today's biggest transfer stories and the latest team news involving Preston North End and the rest of the Championship, ahead of the midweek action.

"It's all about being as strong as we can possibly can. We have a lot of new players and we haven't clicked straight away, and in preparation for next season we need to gel.