Preston wanted Dujon Sterling but missed out to Stoke City – and he has now received praise from new Potters boss Alex Neil.
One of the key stories of Preston’s summer window was the inability to sign a new right wing back.
Ryan Lowe publicly made it clear that he wanted a new option in that area of the pitch.
A natural wing back to complement the converted Brad Potts was just what Preston needed.
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Names like Moses Odubajo, Ethan Laird and Cyrus Christie were mentioned over the summer window but the deadline ended without an addition.
Fans have been left baffled by the inability to sign a right wing back, especially given that Lowe is a manager committed to playing with wing backs.
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One of the other targets was Dujon Sterling, with Preston eyeing the Chelsea talent who spent last season on loan at rivals Blackpool.
Lancs Live reported just days before the transfer deadline that Preston were still hoping to secure Sterling on loan.
Sterling did make a late move but it wasn’t to Preston; he instead joined Championship rivals Stoke City on loan for the season.
Alex Neil – former Preston boss who joined Stoke in August – is understood to have played a key role in convincing Sterling to join the Potters.
The 22-year-old hadn’t been in the squad for Stoke first three games after the deadline but he started against Watford on Sunday.
Stoke were hammered 4-0 and Sterling was deployed as a left wing back by Neil despite being predominantly right footed.
Neil has now moved to praise Sterling, telling the Stoke Sentinel that he felt the former North End target ‘looked a threat’ going forward.
Neil praised Sterling’s athleticism and power as well as his defensive ability, clearly feeling that Stoke have a promising wing back on their hands for the season.
“I thought he did well in parts, I thought he looked a threat for us down that left side, he came in and combined well,” said Neil. “He’s athletic, he’s powerful. I think defensively he matches up his duels well,” he added.