'Pace singled out by some fans'

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom will be hoping to put his stamp on his squad during the January transfer window

What do Preston need in January?

It feels like there needs to be a bit of a refresh in this window. Paul Heckingbottom came in with only enough time to add Josh Bowler in the summer window and since has set about assessing what he does and doesn't have.

I think fans have largely been encouraged but they haven't won enough games and I'm sure fresh blood could help to revitalise a squad with a core that has been together for the past few seasons.

What sort of business are they likely to do?

There will likely be an appetite from the fanbase, and probably the manager, to do some business. Wide areas have been mentioned as a possible target to allow Heckingbottom to play a back four instead of a back three and wing-backs, but North End's perennial issue is one of finance.

They've rarely been able to compete with the sort of money splashed around by some in the Championship so that may restrict things and a larger rebuild could be on the cards in the summer when contracts begin to expire.

Are there likely to be any notable departures?

If they will allow Heckingbottom to add then that could be a possibility. He seems to have established the players he wants to work with week-in, week-out now and that will inevitably leave some others on the fringes, so the key factor may be whether those not regularly involved have suitors to take them immediately.

How important is the transfer window likely to be in determining the success of their season?

Pace, especially defensively, has been singled out by some supporters as an area of concern and with the team not scoring a lot of goals so far this season then conceding fewer would be a welcome tonic.

A couple of good quality additions would definitely help and given the number of draws under Heckingbottom perhaps that little bit extra could help them turn one point into three and climb the table.