Last season, Preston played a combination of 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 but either way it was on loan Vernijl or Woods who slotted in on the right side of defence more often than not.
It was expected that Woods would start the season on the right side of the defnce after Preston completed a number of early signings with no sigh of a right sided defender on the radar.
Woods has now been ruled out for the season and Grayson did suggest it was a priority for Preston to sign a right sided defender to fill the void. It has been suggested that Preston have returned for Vermijl but Wednesday wanted to sell and the price was too high.
It is not impossible albeit unlikely that Preston will make a signing ahead of the season's opener. Grimshaw filled in and was touted as a player who can play along the back line or in midfield before his arrival. He has yet to make his debut for the club through injury.
Clarke has filled in at right back but mainly in League One and the other option is for Chris Humphrey to return as a wing back but he has not played a match for several months due to injury.
Grayson will have a difficult decision to take as Preston start the season.