As the January transfer window closes, we take a look at the ins and outs at Deepdale ahead of the final few months of the season.
In
Louis Moult
Having agreed a deal in December, striker Louis Moult became the first arrival of the window on 1st January. Moult, who was suffering from a minor hamstring injury when he arrived, made his debut as a second half substitute against Birmingham City at Deepdale, before making his first start in the FA Cup tie against Sheffield United. Moult was in impressive form for Motherwell before making the switch to the Championship and he will be looking to return to that form now he is fighting fit.
Billy Bodin
Billy Bodin joined from Bristol Rovers on 3rd January for an undisclosed fee. The attacker had scored 11 goals and got four assists in 24 games for the Gas Men in the first half of the season. Bodin has made four appearances so far for the Lilywhites, scoring his first goal for North End in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
Connor Simpson
Young forward Connor Simpson was the third signing of the January transfer window, joining from Hartlepool United on a two-and-half-year deal. The 6'5" striker broke into the Pools team at the age of 17, scoring his first goal against Maidstone United in the National League. The 18-year-old has featured for the U18s once this season, scoring a hattrick on his first appearance in a North End shirt against local rivals Blackpool.
Out
Ben Pringle (Loan)
Midfielder Ben Pringle joined Oldham Athletic on loan at the start of the month. Pringle had not featured for Alex Neil's side in the first half of the season but the 28-year-old went straight into Richie Wellens' team for their clash with Rotherham United on Saturday 13th January. Ben has made five appearances for the Latics in January and will be hoping to build on that for the remainder of the season.
Kevin O'Connor (Loan)
Irish defender Kevin O'Connor was the second player to leave Deepdale on loan in January, joining Fleetwood Town for the remainder of the season. With a number of defenders returning to fitness at North End, O'Connor found his game time limited and joined the Cod Army to get more football, making his debut against Gillingham at the weekend.
Andy Boyle (Loan)
In the final week of the window, defender Andy Boyle joined Darren Ferguson's Doncaster Rovers for the rest of the season. Boyle featured five times for the Lilywhites earlier in the season, but like O'Connor, has since found his time on the pitch limited. The Irishman will be looking to make his debut for Rovers this weekend when they travel to Portsmouth.
Eoin Doyle (Loan)
The first of three departures on deadline day at Deepdale, Eoin Doyle returned to Oldham Athletic where he enjoyed a successful loan spell during the first half of the season. Doyle's return to Boundary Park was welcomed by the Latics fans after 14 goals in 21 games, and Doyle will be hoping he can reignite that form to help secure their place in League One come May.
Marnick Vermijl (Loan)
Defender Marnick Vermijl made the deadline day switch to Scunthorpe United, who are managed by former PNE favourite Graham Alexander. Vermijl has made just three appearances for the Lilywhites this season, with the last coming against Ipswich Town back in November. The Belgian will be looking for first team football during his spell at Glanford Park.
Jordan Hugill
Striker Jordan Hugill joined Premier League side West Ham United in the final hours of the window. Hugill had scored ten goals in all competitions for Alex Neil's side before making the switch for top flight football, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal for the Premier League outfit.