The transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday, 2 February

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom doesn’t believe any incoming transfer activity is imminent.

The Lilywhites are yet to add to their squad in the January transfer window. Since the 2-0 win at Bristol City on January 4, PNE have lost four games on the bounce - shipping nine goals and scoring zero. Injury blows to Daniel Iversen and Andrew Hughes have been suffered while loan star Harrison Armstrong returned to Everton on January 1.

“There's always news, but I don't think there's anything close,” said Heckingbottom after Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing at Middlesbrough. “I'm just bothered about people who are going to improve us and be good enough, that's it.

“I keep saying, our market might be different, you know? Looking at the business that teams do, you can't get distracted by it because unless they've beaten you to a player who's achievable for you, it's pointless. So, what we've got to do is look for players who we think can add to our group.”

PNE’s defensive woes were added to at the Riverside with Jordan Storey shown a straight red card at the start of the second half. North End, unless they appeal that decision and are successful, will now head to Ipswich Town light on numbers at the back.

“Yeah, listen, these are the things, this is why you have to put a squad together,” said Heckingbottom. “We've obviously lost three players in the window and not replaced yet. The two injuries, the sending off last week, that's why it's so frustrating.

”He (Milutin Osmajic) would have been coming on today. Now Jordan (Storey), that's why you need a squad of players. Ultimately, throughout the season, your squad is always going to be tested at some point.

“So yeah, the priority is getting players back who are injured, getting players through the door in the window, who we need, and getting ready to compete. I wanted them in on the 1st of January.

“The earlier you can do your business, the better you're going to be. It's the same in the summer. So yeah, it is a priority. We were light anyway, then we've had two sending offs and picked up a couple of injuries, so you get stretched when that happens.”

When asked about the decisions to sell Stefan Thordarson and loan out Will Keane, the PNE boss said to BBC Lancashire: “Well, I wouldn't have. That was my message, they can only go if we bring players in.”

Your next PNE read: Heckingbottom on 4-0 defeat to Boro