Preston North End winger closing-in on loan move to Hearts

Preston North End's Josh Ginnelly in action against Manchester City at Deepdale last season

The loan would be a season-long deal which would take the 23-year-old to the end of his current contract at Deepdale.

Ginnelly has not featured in any of North End's pre-season games and getting him out on loan would create space within the squad - Championship clubs will be limited to having 25 players over the age of 21 in their squad in the 2020/21 campaign.

Signed in January 2019 from Walsall, Ginnelly has found games hard to come by at PNE.

Josh Ginnelly in training last season watched by PNE manager Alex Neil

He's made one start and eight substitute appearances, his start being in the Carabao Cup last season against Hull.

Ginnelly went on loan to Bristol Rovers in January, a move which was cut short when the League One campaign was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking on Tuesday, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson said: "He’s one that we’re interested in.

"We’ve been speaking to him and speaking to his club. We’re looking to add pace to the team and he’ll certainly bring that."