What’s Brandon Barker up to?

Brandon Barker’s time at Preston is over, but we’re starting to get the sense that he’s hoping otherwise.

The speedy winger spent this past season on loan at Deepdale, joining from Manchester City back in August. Landed as a replacement for Daryl Horgan, Barker arrived with some promise.

He’d been in the City ranks for many years, once touted for a bright future. He’d somewhat lost his way though, and a move to Preston was full of opportunity. Impress at Deepdale, and a permanent move – and a chance to finally settle down – would be on the cards.

Sadly, that didn’t really happen. Barker showed plenty of flashes, but never enough consistent quality. Add in his injury woes – of which there were many – and it’s no great surprise that he’s been sent back to City.

However, Barker has been using social media prominently over the last week. Firstly, he posted a photo celebrating his goal against Leeds United by saying he’s ‘missing it’. Whether that’s playing football in general now the season is over, or missing Preston, it’s unclear.

Barker then posted the same photo on Twitter, again sparking fans into thinking he’s angling for a Deepdale return.

Barker is putting all the hints out that he wants to come back this summer. Yet having failed to make an impact after all, North End shouldn’t be diving back in for another go with Barker. After all, we should have learned from that idea after the dismal signings of Marnick Vermijl and Eoin Doyle.