Preston 'need five signings' as McCann suffers blow

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom wants the club to make five new signings before the transfer window closes.

The 4-0 home Carabao Cup loss to Everton on Wednesday was North End's third successive defeat and underlined the limitations of the current squad.

The loss of midfielder Ali McCann to a hamstring injury after coming on as a substitute has only served to add to their problems.

"It's not ideal. We're really short at the minute anyway. We might get reinforcements in by the weekend. Hopefully we do," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We're looking at five and it's really important that we get them in.

"We lost that many in the summer and then lost a couple of really important ones during pre-season that it's starters we are looking for.

"This time last year we'd got the bulk of the squad together and we were waiting for those Premier League loans that could maybe add something that little bit different to the squad.

"This year we need to add that, plus a lot more certainties, in terms of improving the (starting) 11."

Preston have lost captain Ben Whiteman to Wrexham as well as Robbie Brady, Will Keane and Jamal Lewis while Lewis Dobbin, Daniel Jebbison and Milos Lukovic returned to their parent clubs.

They have made signings with Lee Nicholls, Leo Leroy and Harry Clarke arriving at the club and Alfie Devine's loan move made permanent but despite Jusef Erabi and Delano Burgzorg also arriving on loan, Heckingbottom is desperate to strengthen further.

Preston, who have been linked with Southampton forward Cameron Archer, are looking at a mix of permanent and loan moves.