Freddie Flintoff has a message for Joe Hart about Preston rumour

Preston are undoubtedly in the market for a goalkeeper, but few could have predicted that Joe Hart would be a name linked.

North End allowed Chris Maxwell to leave on Tuesday, joining Charlton Athletic on loan until the end of the season.

That has left Declan Rudd and Michael Crowe as Alex Neil’s only recognised goalkeepers; a situation unlikely to continue.

We believe that Middlesbrough’s Connor Ripley is the man who will be heading to Deepdale, but a bizarre link emerged last night.

The Sun reported that Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart has been the subject of an enquiry from North End in an ambitious move.

Hart, 31, joined Burnley from Manchester City last summer, attempting to salvage his career with a move to Turf Moor.

Whilst he was a mainstay for Sean Dyche in the first half of the season, he has now been dropped in favour of Tom Heaton.

Hart now risks being third choice when Nick Pope returns, and Preston have – allegedly – asked about a bold move.

Whether the rumour is true is one thing, but one of Preston’s most famous sons has weighed in with his input.

Freddie Flintoff has taken to Twitter to urge Hart to make the move, calling Preston a ‘bigger club’ than Burnley.

It makes sense to move to a bigger club !! Come on Joe you know it makes sense @pnefc https://t.co/OiERTchV0L

— Andrew Flintoff (@flintoff11) January 8, 2019

It’s unlikely that Hart will pitch up at Deepdale any time soon, but if he does, Flintoff may be able to claim the assist.