Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe will look to boost his squad this summer - in his sixth transfer window as Lilywhites boss.
PNE finished 10th in the Championship, on 63 points, in Lowe’s third season as boss. The task is to now break into that top six and strengthening the squad further will be essential - especially if neither Alan Browne or Liam Millar are at Deepdale next season. The Preston chief has spoken about bringing in more leaders and wheeling and dealing.
North End will need to work smart in the market and one avenue they could potentially explore, is players who suffered relegation to League One - but clearly belong on the second tier stage. A few of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United’s 2023/24 squad members fall under that category - here are nine we’ve picked out.
5. Cody Drameh (Birmingham City, loan from Leeds United)
Another player PNE have shown an interest in, previously. Drameh will be back at Leeds United this summer; the league they are in next season could well determine what action is taken with Drameh. The right sided defender turned out 28 times for the Blues and provided three assists. | Getty Images
6. Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town)
The 20-year-old broke into the Huddersfield side in the second half of last season and the maturity in his game impressed. Spent the first half of 2023/24 on loan with Motherwell, but returned in January and started 18 of the final 20 matches. He has one year left to run on his deal. | Ed Sykes/Getty Images
7. Cohen Bramall (Rotherham United)
Now 28, Bramall has been with Rotherham for two years. His career never took off at Arsenal, after signing from non-league in 2017. But, he has more than 80 Championship appearances to his name and is a dynamic option down the left. Defensively there may be concerns, though he could leave for a cut-price fee - with one year left on his contract. | Getty Images
8. Michal Helik (Huddersfield Town)
The Polish defender won Player of the Year at Huddersfield, in his second season with the club. He scored nine goals and remarkably topped the Terriers' scoring chart. The ex-Barnsley man, 28, will likely have Championship suitors this summer as an aggressive and aerially dominant centre-back. Huddersfield have a one-year option in his deal, which runs until 2025. | Matt McNulty/Getty Images