Ryan Lowe is watching Everton Under-21’s tonight and some will wonder just who the Preston North End boss could be watching.
PNE have just one game to go until the World Cup break and there may be some focus placed on the upcoming January transfer window.
North End are in need of new signings in January but Lowe is unlikely to have a big budget at his disposal.
That means Premier League loans – like Troy Parrott and Alvaro Fernandez – may be needed at Deepdale.
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One Liverpool talent has been linked in Conor Bradley but North End may fancy somebody from the other side of Stanley Park.
The Liverpool Echo report that PNE boss Lowe is watching Everton’s Under-21’s against Paris Saint-Germain tonight.
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We’re doubting that North End are about to ask PSG for some January loans but you never know!
Instead, we’ll look at the Everton Under-21 side and who PNE could target in January.
There are high hopes for attacker Stanley Mills, who predominantly plays as a winger.
The 19-year-old has hit four goals in six Premier League 2 games this season and if Lowe wants to continue with the 3-4-2-1 setup he has used at times this season, Mills could fit into that setup.
Midfielder Isaac Price has impressed this season too, picking up three goals and two assists in 11 Premier League 2 outings.
Whether North End really need another midfielder is the question as Lowe is already pretty well-stocked in that area.
Defender Joe Anderson turns 22 in February and may feel that it’s time to leave Everton.
Anderson has history at centre back, left back and left wing back with his versatility potentially attractive to Lowe, especially with Greg Cunningham out of contract this summer.
Reece Welch is worth a shout here too with the giant 6ft 4in centre back possibly ready for a loan move at 19, with North End maybe having questions over Bambo Diaby and Patrick Bauer.
The final suggestion would be striker Tom Cannon, who was linked with an EFL loan move over the summer.
Cannon has racked up nine goals and three assists in 14 games this season and PNE are seeking a striker signing in January.
The other idea here is that maybe Lowe just wants to watch a game.
The game is taking place in Liverpool and Everton Under-21’s are managed by Paul Tait, who played alongside Lowe at Chester City in 2006.
Lowe may just be seeing an old pal and taking in an interesting game on his doorstep, but North End’s need for signings will leave fans thinking there’s some scouting going on.