Trimming the squad numbers will be key for Preston North End in the January transfer window

The transfer window opens on Saturday and it offers the chance to Ryan Lowe to make some adjustments to Preston North End’s squad.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A repeat of the January 2021 window seems unlikely, a month of trading which saw eight players arrive and eight go out of the door - including big-hitters Ben Pearson, Ben Davies and Darnell Fisher.

There is work to be done this time, the majority of it being outgoing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The North End squad is too big at the moment, a fact which has been well documented since the close of the summer window.

Preston North End full-back Joe Rafferty in Carabao Cup action against Liverpool at DeepdalePreston North End full-back Joe Rafferty in Carabao Cup action against Liverpool at Deepdale
Preston North End full-back Joe Rafferty in Carabao Cup action against Liverpool at Deepdale

Trimming the numbers would create room for signings in positions which PNE boss Lowe wants to strengthen – both in terms of space in the dressing room and on the wage bill.

Moving players on, whether in permanent deals or on loan, isn’t always straight forward.

You need interest to start with and it might be that players face dropping down a division to get football.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Loan deals are a decent compromise for some, in that a player knows the door isn’t shut on him coming back.

Jamie Thomas has only featured in Carabao Cup action for PNEJamie Thomas has only featured in Carabao Cup action for PNE
Jamie Thomas has only featured in Carabao Cup action for PNE

However, loans still involve the parent club having to pay part of the wage.

Within the current pool of players, PNE have a handful who haven’t kicked a ball in the first-team this season or have had only very limited game time.

Of those either in the 25-man registered squad or who would qualify to be, Joe Rafferty, Paul Huntington, Josh Harrop, Mathew Hudson, Connor Ripley and Jamie Thomas have yet to feature in the Championship.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rafferty played three times in the Carabao Cup but in the league has been an unused sub five times. Three of those games were in August before North End had to register their squad with the EFL.

Rafferty was only added to the 25-man squad for league games in October.

Centre-back Huntington has made the bench once in the Championship - like Rafferty he was a late addition to the registered squad after his pre-season was affected by him having low iron levels.

Goalkeeper Hudson started the season as third choice but since an injury to Declan Rudd has been the back-up on the bench to Daniel Iversen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Harrop, Thomas and Ripley didn’t make the 25-man squad, with Harrop having been hit by injury over the first-half of the season.

Thomas, signed from Bamber Bridge after a trial in the summer, has been playing in the reserves and developing well - a loan move could suit him.

Ripley had an emergency loan spell at Salford in October and November, and the keeper could well move on in January.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here

Related topics: