There is one game left of PNE’s second season under Paul Heckingbottom

Preston North End assistant Stuart McCall expects wide players to be targeted in the summer transfer window.

The Lilywhites are in a state of limbo somewhat, given the reported takeover interest from US-born Saudi businessman Amr Zedan. Added investment has been spoken about a lot in recent weeks but as of now, there has been no further communication regarding Zedan.

McCall was honest last week, accepting that any new ownership could well result in a change of manager. Nonetheless, he is focused on the job at hand and anticipates a large focus on attacking recruitment ahead of the 2026/27 season.

One thing that hasn’t changed since he and Paul Heckingbottom came to the club is the use of a back three and wing-backs. PNE’s boss has previously explained how finances prevented the club from signing players for a back four, last summer.

In the five years with a back three, North End supporters have not seen their team mount a play-off push over 46 games. If it is here to stay, what area of improvement would make the biggest impact in McCall’s view?

“Yeah, we've discussed that and we're looking forward to next season,” McCall told the Lancashire Post. “At the minute, because nothing's happened, you do know what level or money you're going to have for the recruitment. To get attacking players, wingers, wide men, costs a lot more.

“So, from a financial point of view - it sounds negative - it's easier to get two wing-backs, or four wing-backs than it is to get two out-and-out wingers. And you've got to base your squad on that. But no, I think if we're here next season - new owners, no new owners, whatever it be - we're definitely going to be recruiting forwards, but wide men as well.

“Because if we want to come away from the back three, then you've got to get the right quality and to get the quality, you've got to pay the money. So hopefully, this close season our budget will be better and we'll be able to recruit better players.”

There are 90 minutes left to play of Heckingbottom and McCall’s second season at Deepdale. They had no pre-season last year and inherited a squad on a prolonged, poor run of form. PNE were mid-table in March but had to secure survival on the last day of the season, after a major drop off. Huge turnover within the squad was then overseen last summer and Preston, now on 60 points, will finish mid-table. McCall knows there is still plenty of work and improving to do.

“Yeah, listen we were usually disappointed last season, how that petered out and how so poor it got,” said McCall. “This season, recently, a good win against Stoke, couple of draws, win at Charlton. You only have to look at West Brom’s recent record, how well they're playing, but we should’ve done better than that and again, against Birmingham.

“So yeah, you learn all the time and sometimes when you bring players into your club, you're not 100% guaranteed to know the ins and outs of them - it's only when you work with them. I think over the piece, certainly when me and Paul were together at Sheffield United, our job is to try and get the best out of what you've got; to make sure you are improving players.

“You'll have ups and downs, especially with the younger lads. We've got a few lads who have not played in the Championship before, so they'll find their feet. Then, as I say it's great when everything's rosy. It's when you have the difficult times and you're not winning games like you were, that's when your test comes. We’ve been too inconsistent but we've got to try and finish as strongly as we can.”