Preston have confirmed that Ched Evans is staying for a while yet, having penned a new deal until 2023.
Evans may have only scored three times since his January move from Fleetwood Town, but his all-round play has been a welcome addition to the side.
A two-year deal for the 32-year-old is still a risk though, and it points towards North End not signing one of their alleged targets.
The Telegraph reported last month that Preston were looking to sign Luton Town striker James Collins, though faced competition from Derby County.
Collins, 30, is out of contract this summer, and is no stranger to Preston having smashed a hat-trick against us back in December.
The Irishman fits a similar kind of mould to Evans; big, strong, burly, experienced and can lead the line as a physical presence.
Yet with both players into their 30’s, it doesn’t really make that much sense to sign both players; North End need to be finding young talent in attack to support Scott Sinclair and Evans.
With Evans tied to the club for another two years, there just doesn’t seem to be a need for Collins anymore, with a real feeling that he was only targeted in case Evans didn’t end up staying.