Lancashire

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Burnley's new signings Marcus Edwards and Jaydon Banel are likely to make their debuts in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Southampton, according to boss Scott Parker.

The Clarets face the Premier League's bottom side, who are just two places above them in the English football pyramid, at St Mary's on Saturday afternoon.

Edwards, 26, has joined on loan until the end of the season from Portuguese side Sporting, while Banel, 20, signed from Ajax for an undisclosed fee.

"It gives us a chance to freshen things up, the likelihood is we can integrate the new players into this fixture," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Give them some minutes [because] the new signings have lacked a bit of game time.

"You've got to give the players coming in an understanding of what is expected of them, added to the fact that players coming in haven't played a lot of football - and that is what a January window brings.

"The last thing I want to do is push them too hard and we lose players, so we need to tread carefully.

"But I want to get them up to speed as quickly as I can because these players have been brought in to help us for the remaining part of the season."

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Burnley keeper James Trafford has been named the Championship player of the month for January.

The 22-year-old did not concede a single goal, keeping six clean sheets and saving two Wilson Isidor penalties in the dying minutes to ensure a point against promotion-rivals Sunderland.

Burnley manager Scott Parker told the EFL website, external: "This is well deserved. James has been incredible all season, not just this month. Since I arrived he has been a top professional and a rock for the team."

Sky Sports' EFL pundit Don Goodman said: "On individual performance, it would be difficult to have a more perfect month than James Trafford.

"Burnley's defensive stability is going to be the key in their bid for promotion, and Trafford is central to that."

Coventry midfielder Jamie Allen, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown and Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson were also up for the award.

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On Wednesday we asked what you made of Preston North End's business in the transfer window.

North End brought in Lewis Gibson from Plymouth Argyle to shore up the heart of the defence, while 18-year-old left-back Jayden Meghoma joined from Premier League side Brentford.

Scotland defender Ryan Porteous arrived on loan from Watford, while Ryan Ledson, Emil Riis, Freddie Woodman and Milutin Osmajic remained at Deepdale despite reported interest from elsewhere.

Here are some of your responses:

Al: 7/10. Hopefully the problem left-back position has now been filled, and Gibson looks a solid addition. Also think that Porteous will add some much needed competition at the back. Winter recruitment has been much better than the summer which, loan signings aside, was pretty dreadful!

Jim: Gibson was a good signing but only time will tell with the others, as they are not in it for the long haul. Deeply frustrating season with some poor games where they have been bullied and outfought. Other times they have looked clueless going forward and seem content to defend their own box. A real lack of consistency and some shocking results against teams around or below them. Unfortunately, I don't see these signings changing a lot and it looks like the season is fizzling out already.

Gren: Decent transfer window for North End to be fair, I do however think we will be doing well to finish in the top 10 of the Championship this season!

Adam: I would have preferred to see an additional striker added to the team; however, I am pleased with the recent signings, particularly Gibson, who has made a remarkable impact in defence. My primary concern lies with the loan players, whose contributions have been exceptional. It is crucial that we secure their contracts in the upcoming transfer window. Alternatively, Preston should consider reviewing its financial strategy to increase salary offerings, which would enhance our ability to attract top talent. I'd like to think this approach will provide us with a better chance of remaining competitive in the upper half of the league.

Charlie: Positive window for helping seal the back door that has been low on confidence and seems to concede several goals after conceding one. Now it looks a little more settled and the addition of a natural LWB is much needed. Hopefully Meghoma grows each game and the long-term solution is found in the summer. Missing the natural goalscorer for when Osmajic is unavailable is going to show as Riis seems to miss lots of chances. Championship strikers should score more often than not.

Mo: We needed a better keeper and missed out. I'm sure we could could have the money from somewhere.

Fin: Glad we finally got a left-back, Gibson is a good signing and I'm glad we got cover following Jordan Storey's injury. Some cover in central midfield would've been good after Ben Whiteman's injury. Would've loved another striker to play alongside Osmajic but we can only hope for the summer.

Preston North End welcome League One high-fliers Wycombe Wanderers to Deepdale for an FA Cup fourth round tie on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT).

• Preston have won two of their three FA Cup meetings with Wycombe, though the exception was a 4-1 defeat in the most recent such encounter (2020-21 third round).

• After a 13-game winless run against Preston between 1996 and 2020 (D4 L9), Wycombe have won both of their past two meetings with the Lilywhites (both in 2021).

• Wycombe Wanderers have reached the FA Cup fourth round for just the fourth time, also doing so in 2000-01, 2016-17 and 2020-21. Only in 2000-01 have they gone beyond this stage, eventually reaching the semi-final before losing to eventual winners Liverpool.

• Preston are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2014-15, with this just their third fourth round appearance since then (0-1 v Sheffield United in 2018, 0-3 v Tottenham in 2023).

• Wycombe's Luke Leahy has been involved in nine goals in his past 12 FA Cup appearances (7 goals, 2 assists), although only one of those goals or assists has come away from home, scoring for Shrewsbury in a 5-1 win at Stratford Town in November 2021.

Burnley travel to Premier League side Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT).

The Clarets' best recent run in the competition was in 2022-23 when they reached the quarter-final - and is the only time they have made it that far since 2002-03 when they were also knocked out at the same stage.

• Southampton have won just two of their past 11 matches against Burnley (D4 L5) – all in the Premier League between 2017 and 2022 – with both wins coming in the 2020-21 season.

• The two previous FA Cup ties between Southampton and Burnley were in 1908 and 2014 and both were won by the Saints, winning 2-1 away in the first round in 1907-08 and 4-3 at home in the third round in 2013-14.

• Southampton have won eight of their past 10 home matches in the FA Cup (L2), winning the past three in a row at St Mary's all by a 3+ goal margin without conceding.

• Burnley have been eliminated in nine of their past 11 FA Cup ties against Premier League sides while playing outside of the top-flight at the time; the two progressions in this time came during seasons they won promotion, in 2008-09 against West Brom and 2022-23 against Bournemouth.

• Burnley's Zian Flemming has been involved in four goals in his past two FA Cup matches (3 goals, 1 assist), scoring two extra-time goals in the Clarets' 3-1 win over Reading in this season's third round.

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Coventry midfielder Jamie Allen, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown, Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and Burnley stopper James Trafford are the four nominees for the Championship's player of the month award for January.

Allen was injured when Frank Lampard first took over at the Sky Blues but his return to action helped City climb the table with his energy, ability to break up play and influence leading to him being handed the captain's armband.

Oxford's form since Gary Rowett took over has caught the eye and Brown has been at the heart of their improved defensive displays, helping the U's keep three clean sheets in six games in January and netting a neat equaliser against Luton to boot.

Black Cats keeper Patterson helped Sunderland keep three clean sheets in five games during the month, saving a penalty at 0-0 in an eventual win against Sheffield United, producing a brilliant one-handed stop in the goalless draw at Burnley and helping preserve a 1-0 win at Derby.

Clarets keeper Trafford was unbeatable in January with a pristine record of six clean sheets with the highlights coming in that stalemate against Burnley's promotion rivals as he saved two Wilson Isidor penalties in the dying minutes against Sunderland as well as making a crucial late stop against Leeds.

Image source, Rex Features

It's time to talk about Preston North End's transfer business...

North End wasted little time in moving for Lewis Gibson from Plymouth Argyle to shore up the heart of the defence while 18-year-old Jayden Meghoma joined from Premier League side Brentford on loan to fill the problematic left-back berth.

Scotland international defender Ryan Porteous also arrived on loan from Watford while Paul Heckingbottom kept hold of some of his key names who had been linked with potential moves away in the form of Ryan Ledson, Emil Riis, Freddie Woodman and Milutin Osmajic.

With a 10-point cushion above the relegation zone and only a seven-point gap to the play-offs, are Preston looking up rather than over their shoulder in the final few months of the campaign?

We want you to tell us what you think about the Lilywhites' transfer dealings...

Let us know your thoughts here.

Tom Sandells
BBC Radio Lancashire

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The January transfer window is shut and for Preston North End, there is a sense of job done - for now.

Was it the perfect window where every problem and potential problem was solved? No.

But was an 18-month wait for a left-back ended? Yes. And in that, there is somewhat of a tongue-in-cheek victory in itself.

PNE made just three signings in the winter window but all have helped improve the squad.

First through the door was Lewis Gibson from Plymouth Argyle - much needed defensive reinforcement and immediately a player who could be key at the heart of the Lilywhites' defence.

It was not the type of transfer that Preston make often, going to a fellow Championship club and paying decent money for one of their best players. Refreshing.

Then they signed Jayden Meghoma from Premier League Brentford on loan for the second half of the season and though getting the runaround at Blackburn Rovers on Friday - with no help, it is worth adding - will have been a chastening experience, he looks up to the level.

His addition has also freed up Kaine Kesler-Hayden to be played on his natural right side, and having been one of the better performers in blue and white so far this season, it has already been a boost for Paul Heckingbottom.

PNE also acted quickly upon the news that Jordan Storey's injury picked up in the first half against Rovers will rule him out for some time. Ryan Porteous moved north from Watford to fill the gap Storey left and the depth at the back was replenished.

Heckingbottom's squad is looking stronger coming out of the January transfer window than it did coming into it and that, for the most part, is the aim of the game.

There were rumours circulating around the futures of many of the first team squad, particularly those with deals running out in the summer such as Ryan Ledson, Emil Riis, Freddie Woodman and even Milutin Osmajic in the closing stages of the window – despite the latter still having two-and-a-half years to run on his deal – but North End held firm for now.

There were rumours too about a bid being made for promising goalkeeper Sam Tickle at Wigan Athletic and though he is a player admired at Deepdale, they seem content to bide their time on that one.

There were also some wages offloaded with summer signing Jeppe Okkels already departing PR1, on loan to Aberdeen, while another summer recruit in Josh Bowler joined Luton Town until the end of the season.

An upturn in recent results helps ease the pressure on the importance of mid-season changes but in some respects it has kicked the can down the road.

Gibson's addition is one that will come in handy for seasons to come. Meghoma sees them through to the end of the campaign, as does Porteous.

But there's still the risk that seven first-team players can no longer be sold for any sort of fee if they don't sign a new deal with the club.

Still, the Lilywhites have improved their ranks and that in itself should stand them in better stead for an unlikely play-off push and give them a better basis to convince those they want to stay to re-commit.