Preston North End have a difficult decision to make over Milutin Osmajic

On January 20, around 9:30pm, you could forgive anyone fed up with Milutin Osmajic and urging for Preston North End to part ways.

As always, time is a healer... albeit there are no excuses for the Montenegrin’s disciplinary record at Deepdale to date.

There are several aspects which make this summer - yet to kick into life - intriguing from a North End perspective.

In and amongst that is undoubtedly the future of Osmajic who, since joining for £2.1million in 2023, has scored 31 goals in 109 appearances.

He is yet to hit double figures in the Championship but undoubtedly would’ve done last season, had he not missed 18 games (12 through suspension) in total.

The campaign before that, Osmajic netted 15 goals in all competitions. He is one of few reliable goal threats left in the Lilywhites’ squad.

Preston scored 55 goals in the Championship last season and 28 of those were from players no longer around: Devine, Dobbin, Jebbison, Frokjaer, Armstrong, Keane.

The still-contracted, highest scorers after Osmajic were Michael Smith and Thierry Small - who got three each.

It is fair, therefore, to view a potential Osmajic sale with some caution, particularly given he is in the final year of his contract.

Ideally, the Montenegrin’s sale would boost Preston’s transfer kitty handsomely and give them a good chance of coming out stronger.

That is the big question facing PNE this summer. If Osmajic is to be sold, will they end up in a better position as a result?

It is speculating but given his expiring deal, the Lilywhites will probably do well to make a notable profit on the reported £2.1m they paid.

That would present Preston with a tough test, in terms of finding the right replacement for Osmajic - never mind doing that and then adding more forwards.

There are technical limitations to the 26-year-old’s game but he is fast, strong, can go for 90 minutes and put the ball in the back of the net.

And so, it is little surprise to learn that PNE are discussing the possibility of a contract extension for their number 28.

That doesn’t mean he will sign one; it just shows that all outcomes are being considered and nobody is pushing anyone around.

Right now, it remains to be seen how this plays out. It was tough to argue with manager Paul Heckingbottom’s view on the situation, though, after the final day.

While you don’t want to let players like Osmajic leave for nothing, selling him for little and ending up weaker is hardly much better.