Preston need some attacking reinforcements this month, with a winger and a striker needed.
Andre Green was allowed to leave Deepdale on Thursday, with the Aston Villa loanee moving on to Charlton Athletic. With Seani Maguire, Tom Barkhuizen and Billy Bodin all struggling for goals, a winger must be brought in this month.
What’s interesting is that a player who featured both out wide and up front for Preston last season has returned to the Championship – but not with North End.
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Middlesbrough have today confirmed the signing of Lukas Nmecha, with the Manchester City man terminating his loan spell at Wolfsburg in order to join Jonathan Woodgate’s side.
Nmecha joins Boro on loan until the end of the season, having found first-team football hard to come by with Wolfsburg. Nmecha joins fellow City youngster Patrick Roberts in joining Boro on loan, with the winger arriving on Thursday.
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He may have divided opinion at Deepdale, but Nmecha would have been a welcome addition right now. He noticeably kicked on in the second half of last season, and was never afraid to pick up the ball and drive at his man to try and make something happen.
That’s what Preston are missing right now. North End’s attackers look devoid of confidence, but there’s a lack of pace and drive in the final third too, and Nmecha – you only have to look at Daniel Johnson’s goal at Blackburn Rovers for proof of this – provided those qualities.
His versatility to play wide or up front would have been valuable, whilst he has already had a full season under Alex Neil. His bedding in period would have been minimal, and he could have slotted in as a loanee to replace the outgoing Green.
It feels a little like North End have missed a trick with Nmecha even if some fans didn’t quite take to him, and it will now be fascinating to see how he fares with Boro whilst the Preston attack desperately try to find some form.