Preston North End were quiet in terms of incomings in January but made two additions in Ryan Lowe’s first transfer window.
Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer arrived on loan before defender Bambo Diaby signed on a free transfer until the summer.
Archer has already got off the mark with a goal against West Bromwich Albion whilst Diaby now offers competition at the back.
There were a flurry of loan exits, with the likes of Jordan Storey, Josh Harrop, Jamie Thomas, Joe Rodwell-Grant, Lewis Coulton and Adam O’Reilly all securing moves.
With Preston’s business now done, here’s how Lowe’s squad looks from now until the end of the season.
Goalkeepers
Daniel Iversen – Preston’s first-choice goalkeeper and arguably Player of the Year. Only on loan from Leicester City and may not return next season.
Declan Rudd – More than capable backup but has been out injured after knee surgery. Hopefully back before the end of the season.
Connor Ripley – Back at Deepdale after a brief loan spell at Salford City. Out of contract this summer and likely heading for the exit.
Mathew Hudson – Offers a homegrown option for the bench, but is also out of contract this summer and may look to move on for first-team action.
Defenders and wing backs
Matthew Olosunde – Preston career hasn’t taken off yet and didn’t impress against Swansea City in January. Needs a big second half of the season to convince Ryan Lowe.
Brad Potts – We didn’t expect to be listing Potts in this area, but here we are. Potts has made himself first-choice right wing back under Lowe and that doesn’t look like changing.
Joe Rafferty – Out of contract this summer and looks likely to go, but enjoyed a strong second half against Sheffield United so could feature between now and the end of the season.
Sepp van den Berg – The Dutchman is shining in a right-sided centre back role. A fan favourite and outstanding talent, Van den Berg will return to Liverpool when his loan finishes this summer.
Bambo Diaby – Signed on a free transfer on deadline day. Only contracted until the summer after two years out of football due to a doping ban. Offers depth on the right side of defence.
Patrick Bauer – Thankfully, Bauer has signed a new deal to stay at Preston despite interest from Europe. North End’s leader in the heart of Lowe’s back three.
Liam Lindsay – Hasn’t played a single minute under Lowe yet. Played well against Fulham before Frankie McAvoy’s sacking, but will find first-team football hard to come by.
Paul Huntington – Club icon and will bring up 10 years at Deepdale this summer. That will likely be the end though, with Huntington out of contract this summer.
Andrew Hughes – Having a superb time under Lowe, thriving in the left-sided centre back role. Recently signed a new contract and should be key moving forward.
Greg Cunningham – Offers vital depth at left-sided centre back and left wing back. Superb against West Bromwich Albion.
Midfielders
Ben Whiteman – Absolutely pivotal at the base of Lowe’s midfield. Looks almost immovable from the team on current form.
Ryan Ledson – In and out of the side this season but offers great depth in holding or box to box midfield roles.
Alan Browne – Returning to form under Lowe and was superb at West Brom. Would still like to see him in a wing back role.
Ali McCann – Unlucky to be out of the side. Not a wing back at all, but a terrier in midfield who will hopefully have a big second half of the season.
Daniel Johnson – Outstanding under Lowe and thriving in a creative role on the left side of the three-man midfield, Johnson is hard to replace in the Preston side.
Izzy Brown – Injured all season and out of contract in the summer. Done great work off the pitch, but Brown is in a battle to win a new contract.
Attackers
Emil Riis – Sometimes something of an enigma, but what a season he’s having. 16 goals in all competitions this season and you can’t imagine him stopping any time soon.
Ched Evans – Turned in some great performances under Lowe, particularly against Sheffield United and West Brom. Provides a fine physical foil for Riis in attack.
Cameron Archer – Signed on loan from Villa and already looking like a fine addition. Quick and dangerous, Archer should make an impact until the summer.
Seani Maguire – Loan bid rejected from Cardiff City with Lowe keen to keep him. Whilst not a huge goal threat, Maguire’s link-up play and work rate has been impressive this season.
Scott Sinclair – Just hasn’t clicked for him this season. Sinclair hasn’t scored a league goal this season and will surely be on his way out when his contract ends this summer.
Tom Barkhuizen – Having a frustrating season. Playing in various positions and picking up niggling injuries is far from ideal for Barkhuizen, who looks set to leave North End on a free transfer this summer.
Josh Murphy – Looked like a great loan signing in August, but Murphy hasn’t started a single game for Preston. Injuries have been a problem and with North End not using wingers this season, Murphy hasn’t carved out a role.