Jermaine Beckford: Preston North End sign Bolton striker on loan

Jermaine Beckford has scored just twice in 16 outings for Bolton this season

Preston North End have signed Bolton Wanderers striker Jermaine Beckford on loan until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old will join initially on loan until January, but a deal is in place for that to be extended.

Beckford links up again with manager Simon Grayson, who he worked with at Leeds United and Huddersfield.

"He has played in the Premier League and everyone knows what he is about and I think it's a big coup for us," Grayson told the club website.

The former Everton, Carlisle and Scunthorpe striker, who began his career in non-league football, moved to Wanderers from Leicester in July 2013.

Beckford has scored just twice in 16 appearances so far this season, with both strikes coming against League One side Crewe in the League Cup in August.

"I have worked with him twice before and he has a fantastic goal record," added Grayson.

"You only want to bring in players that you feel will enhance the squad and add to the level of competition that you have, and we feel that Jermaine will do that."