Preston North End

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with his side's performance in their win against Norwich City.

Milutin Osmajic's goal earned Preston only their third away win of the season and dented the Canaries' hopes of moving into the Championship play-off places.

Heckingbottom's side have now lost just one of their past eight games in league and FA Cup.

"I'm really pleased, Norwich are a talented group and to win there you've got to get a lot of things right," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The players were magnificent for the whole game and Freddie [Woodman] only had one shot to save and that was from distance. That shows how well the team defended.

"The one critical thing was we didn't take our chances at the other end and make it more comfortable so that shows how well we played."

The draw for the FA Cup fifth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Championship teams left in the competition.

Games will be played over the first weekend of March.

• Aston Villa v Cardiff City

• Crystal Palace v Millwall

• Manchester City v Plymouth

• Preston North End v Burnley

You can find the full draw here.

Norwich City will look to move into the Championship play-off spots when they welcome Preston North End on Tuesday night (20:00).

With both Blackburn and Middlesbrough not in action until Wednesday evening, the Canaries will climb into the top six with victory.

The Lilywhites are 15th and lost for the first time in five league games (W2 D2) in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn last time out in the league.

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their past four league games against Preston North End (W2 D2), only once in the EFL recording a longer run against the Lilywhites – five matches between February 2002 and May 2004.

• Preston North End have lost just one of their past eight away league games against Norwich City (W2 D5), with their most recent visit to Carrow Road last season ending in a goalless draw.

• Norwich have won two of their past three home league games on Tuesdays (D1), scoring 4+ goals in each victory (4-2 vs Watford in February 2024, 6-1 vs Plymouth in November 2024).

• Preston North End have lost just three of their past 15 Championship matches (W5 D7) and although they lost last time out to Blackburn, they are yet to lose consecutively under Paul Heckingbottom.

• Brad Potts has scored three goals in his past four Championship appearances, as many as he'd scored in his previous 54 games combined. He's looking to score in three matches in a row for the first time.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

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

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, Getty Images

Preston head coach Paul Heckingbottom says his side were not good enough in their 2-1 loss at Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Makhtar Gueye's first-half header and Todd Cantwell's penalty after the break put the hosts in control before Brad Potts' stoppage-time finish gave the visitors late hope.

"We were too easy to play against in the first half in terms of not causing them enough problems, playing in front of them too much, and our attacking players weren't positive enough," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We put ourselves in a horrible position being 2-0 down - we'll always focus on what we do, what we can do better, what we get right and wrong, but it's frustrating how the game ended."

The loss saw Preston remain in 15th place in the table, but they had a very late penalty appeal turned down after Gueye appeared to catch Potts with an arm to the face.

"I've never seen a penalty given for a clash of heads but I have seen them all the time for elbows in faces - simple," added Heckingbottom.

"We've not decided the game, that's the big issue, and when it's really frustrating."

Preston make the 10-mile trip east to Blackburn for an intriguing Lancashire derby on Friday night (20:00 GMT).

Rovers have dropped out of the play-off places to lie seventh, and though they remain eight places ahead of North End, they only have five points more.

• Blackburn have failed to win any of their past five league games against Preston (D3 L2), with both losses during that time coming at Ewood Park.

• Preston have lost just one of their past eight away league games against Blackburn (W5 D2), failing to score in just one of those matches.

• Rovers have lost each of their past three league games, last enduring a longer losing run in December 2023 (four games).

• After beating Watford and Middlesbrough both 2-1 in their past two league games, Preston will be looking to win three Championship matches in succession for the first time since February 2024.

• Altogether, 17 different players have scored for Blackburn in the Championship this season; the joint-most for any team in the division (excluding own goals), along with Hull City.

Tom Sandells
BBC Radio Lancashire

Although Preston North End's season looked to be over before it started as their early campaign descended into turmoil after just one game, they curiously seem to be able to reset their campaign completely and light a fire of optimism with their upcoming game on Friday night.

They travel to Ewood Park to play Blackburn Rovers and the start to the season for the Lancashire rivals could not have been more different.

North End's manager ended last season "unacceptably" according to chairman Craig Hemmings and so Ryan Lowe walked out one game and one defeat into the 2024-25 season.

Rovers had their boss in place last season and while they did not set the world alight, they were steady and reaped the rewards of their stability as they made a fast start to the campaign.

Blackburn started the Championship eight unbeaten while Preston won only two of their opening eight matches.

And while North End were going nine games without a win from October, Blackburn during that same time period won six in a row.

However, a win for the Lilywhites on Friday would put them just two points behind Rovers and they will head to East Lancashire backed by more than 5,000 supporters.

They also go there off the back of two fine wins against play-off chasers Watford and Middlesbrough and looked good value for the points in both contests.

Since Boxing Day, only two teams in the division have taken more points than Preston and one of them tops the table.

On the other hand, only three teams have taken fewer points than Blackburn.

Friday's Lancashire Derby is set up to be a potential catalyst for Paul Heckingbottom's side, especially if it brings Blackburn into range.

The Yorkshireman has now had time to settle into his role at the helm and has shown the attacking intent and positivity in the football he wants from his side.

A win to start the weekend and it is game on coming into the turn, post January window.

PNE have made efforts to improve their squad too, with Lewis Gibson and Jayden Meghoma joining on permanent and loan deals respectively.

Both have hit the ground running and with captain Ben Whiteman ruled out for around eight weeks with an ankle injury, Heckingbottom has hinted at potentially doing more January business to bolster their options.

There are positive signs for the North End faithful and with one defeat in their past eight when travelling to Ewood they have every reason to be confident of securing more bragging rights.

Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Stoke will have to wait until later this week to find out whether Liverpool will let 19-year-old forward Jayden Danns leave on loan. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Tuesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after his sending off in their 2-1 win at Watford last week.

Heckingbottom was shown red for using abusive language in the tunnel at half-time at Vicarage Road.

In a statement, an FA spokesperson said: "The manager allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the match official/s around the tunnel area at half-time, which led to his dismissal.

"It's further alleged that he acted in an improper manner following his dismissal by entering the technical area prior to the start of the second half."

Heckingbottom has until Wednesday to provide a response.

Preston North End are interested in signing 20-year-old defender Thierry Small from League One side Charlton Athletic. (Lancashire Post), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Monday's gossip column here.