Job done for Preston in transfer window

Lewis Gibson has made five appearances in all competitions since joining Preston, helping the Lilywhites to three wins and a draw

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.