Window pain for Grayson

It was a fairly busy January for the Lilywhites, with four players coming into the club and six leaving – two of those permanently.

What also occupied North End towards the deadline was rejecting bids for some of their key players. Jordan Hugill and Callum Robinson were two to attract offers, Grayson saying that there was interest in ‘four or five’.

Asked if the window had been a distraction, Grayson said: “You try keeping it away from players this day and age.

“Maybe when Ceefax and Teletext was happening, things were a little bit easier to keep quiet.

“Of course the window can be a distraction because you have players at all levels get their heads turned.

“Marley Watkins, who played for Barnsley against us on Saturday, had put a transfer request in because he said he got his head turned.

“That is what it does to players and clubs, and you have to deal with that.

“For managers that is not easy, not just from a player perspective but supporters too.

“They are expecting X,Y and Z to come in, want you to spend £10m on a striker and when it doesn’t happen they are disappointed.”

It was the two bids for Hugill from Ipswich which made it fully into the public spotlight, Grayson delighted that both were knocked back. He felt the striker put in another strong show at Barnsley, despite not managing to add to his tally of nine goals.

“His performance at the weekend showed what he is capable of,” said Grayson.

“Jordan is strong, powerful, holds up the ball well, gets into good positions and runs the channels.

“If he keeps playing well, his value will keep going up.

“I quoted Mick McCarthy £4m the other week when he scored against Ipswich!

“He is a good lad, works hard and strikers are very much in demand.

“We were always looking to keep improving our squad, rather than let sell players.”

A striker who Grayson had his eye on in terms of adding to the squad – Robbie Keane – has turned up in the United Arab Emirates.

The 36-year-old is training with Dubai side Al-Ahli and could earn a lucrative move there.

North End met with Keane’s agent last month as they explored the possibility of a short-term deal for the front man, who is a free agent after leaving LA Galaxy two months ago.

But his salary expectation would have broken their wage structure.

Sunderland, Fulham and Brighton were also linked with Keane.

It now seems he has opted for another stint overseas, having spent six seasons in the United States.

Speaking last week about the interest in Keane and any targets he had, Grayson said that any deal for any player had to be done within the Deepdale wage structure.

“Anyone who comes in has to fit into the wage structure,” said Grayson.

“I don’t want to jeopardise the spirit by having players who are not within the same wage structure.

“I have always built a squad like that.”

Meanwhile, the three players who PNE loaned out on deadline day last week, were involved for their new clubs at the weekend.

Liam Grimshaw started Chesterfield’s 1-0 home defeat to Oldham, while Eoin Doyle was in the Portsmouth side beaten 1-0 at Wycombe.

Clive Smith was on the bench for St Johnstone’s 5-2 loss to Celtic on Sunday.

All have been loaned out to get regular football after being on the fringes at PNE.