It has been known for a while that several Preston players are out of contract in the summer and are now free to talk to other clubs. If these players fail to sign a new deal then they will leave for free in the summer unless Preston can cash in during this transfer window.
The most pressing area is midfield with Pearson, Browne and Johnson all coming towards the end of their contracts. North End therefore moved to sign Jayson Molumby on loan until the end of the season.
The signing suggests that Preston expect to lose one of their midfielders during this window. Molumby has experience at this level having played for Millwall last season. The London side apparently had a bid for a permanent move rejected by Brighton, Molumby's parent club.
The Irish international has signed until the end of the season and it will be interesting to see how Preston move forward in midfield with rumours linking them to a more permanent signing in Ben Whiteman from Doncaster.
A more controversial move was the announcement of Ched Evans on a short term deal until the end of the season. Evans is now more probably known for his legal tribulations rather than his football these days.
The move seemed strange given Evans is 32 and Neil always emphasised youth throughout his squad. The striker had been released by League One Fleetwood and has not played consistently at Championship level for a number of years.
The signing in terms of football reasons seems bizarre. He doesn't seem any better than Nugent who is no longer involved in the sqaud whilst Riis, Maguire and Stockley would expect to start ahead of Evans.
The final loan signing was forced upon North End. Rudd is out through injury and so Preston moved to sign Daniel Iverson on loan from Leicester until the end of the season.