Isaac Hayden’s loan spell at Standard Liege is over amid rumours of a Preston North End move for the Newcastle United midfielder.
It’s difficult to see too much business going on at PNE this month.
A strong summer window means North End won’t have much wiggle room in the January window and may be relying on a departure or two to spark a signing.
PNE are still being linked with new additions though and one name churned out by the rumour mill last week as Newcastle United’s Isaac Hayden.
Reports suggested that PNE were in the race to sign Hayden alongside Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle.
Hayden has spent the first half of the season on loan at Standard Liege in Belgium – but he is now on the move again…
Isaac Hayden leaves Standard Liege amid PNE rumours
Standard have now confirmed that Newcastle have activated their recall clause on Hayden and he is heading back to England.
Hayden played 11 times in all competitions for Standard but is time in Belgium has now been cut short.
The expectation is that Hayden will be heading off on loan elsewhere for the second half of the season, or potentially even being moved on permanently.
It’s unclear just where Hayden will be moving but could it be PNE?
Ali McCann has signed a new contract but his displays as a lone holding midfield player have been a little up and down of late.
Adding a natural holding player with plenty of experience could be ideal for PNE and Hayden certainly fits that bill.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Norwich City but injuries held him back from making a bigger impact at Carrow Road.
That’s something PNE have to be wary of; valuable funds can’t afford to go towards a player with injury problems, which is something North End have fallen into in the past.
Hayden leaving Standard means a new destination surely won’t be far away, but a departure will surely be needed if it’s going to be PNE.