With Sepp van den Berg looking likely to return to Liverpool next year after his recent admission, attention will turn to who can come in to replace him as part of Preston’s back three.
Ryan Lowe may want to bring his own man in, whilst Liam Lindsay has shown he could be an option for the future too. However it looks likely that the role will be taken by a man who started the season in that position to begin with.
Jordan Storey enjoyed a key role in the defence at the back end of last season and the beginning of this one. He lined up alongside Sepp at first, with the Dutchman occupying an unfamiliar right-wing back role.
With Van den Berg impressing more centrally against his parent club in the Carabao Cup, he was moved inside on a more permanent basis. It left Storey having to settle for a place on the bench.
When an offer came from League One side Sheffield Wednesday to take him on loan for the rest of the season it was a no brainer. A chance to develop further, at a big club challenging for promotion. Furthermore his manager Darren Moore was a successful centre-back himself so he could learn a thing or two from him.
Another benefit for Storey plying his trade at Hillsborough is that Wednesday play the same formation as Preston, so it gives him more time to get used to that role, ready to slide seamlessly into Ryan Lowe’s side. In his first four games for The Owls he was on the winning side as he helped keep a clean sheet in all of the games.
A first defeat came against league leaders Rotherham United before normal service was resumed with a 3-1 win over Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
His performance clearly stood out as he was named in the League One team of the week, which also incorporated him in a back three.
Storey is 24-years old now, and is on 98 appearances for Preston North End. He arrived as a fresh faced youngster from Exeter City but took to the Championship like a duck to water at first.
He’s had his ups and downs, but I’ve got no doubt he can be an important player for the club for years to come.