Preston North End hopeful of more January signings after the loan capture of Jayson Molumby

Molumby completed a loan move from Brighton last night, the 21-year-old signing for the remainder of the season.

The Lilywhites continue to chase a permanent signing - thought to be Doncaster midfielder Ben Whiteman - and two more loan deals.

They are also quite confident of making headway soon on a couple of new contracts.

The deal to land Molumby was set in motion last week, with North End impressed with what they had seen of the Irishman when he was on loan at Millwall last season.

He drove up from Brighton yesterday evening to sign the paperwork, there still interest in him at that late stage from other clubs in the Championship.

Peter Ridsdale, representative of PNE owner Trevor Hemmings, told the Lancashire Post: "Brighton have been fantastic throughout the process and I'd like to thank Dan Ashworth for the way it was handled.

"We agreed the loan last Friday but Brighton wanted him for their bench at the weekend.

"Jayson drove up yesterday, arrived about 6.30pm, and we got everything done then.

"He's a player we've known about for a while, he's played in the Championship and been in the Republic of Ireland squad.

"Alan Browne and Sean Maguire know him from the Irish squad and they spoke to him."

In terms of other deals, North End are still trying to agree a fee to land their permanent target.

One of the loans they are looking to do is something they've had to arrange very recently.

Another aspect of this window will be trying to agree new contracts with four of their key players.

Daniel Johnson, Alan Browne, Ben Davies and Ben Pearson are now in the last six months of their current deals.

Interest in Pearson appears to have stepped up, with Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Brentford all linked with the midfielder in recent days.

North End manager Alex Neil was delighted to get Molumby through the door just four days after the transfer window opened.

Neil told PNE's official website: "He will add more competition. It is well-documented the position we find ourselves with some of the players whose contracts are running out and we have needed to act.

"We are in the transfer window and we don’t know the outcome and we need to make sure we have positions covered off.

"I think this is a signal of intent from us and he is a great acquisition."

Asked what sort of player Preston fans could expect to see, Neil said: "He has great energy, is good on the ball and is an Irish international.

"He has played at this level before for Millwall and he knows what it is about and we are delighted to get it across the line.

“Jayson is a highly-competitive player; he gets about the pitch, is aggressive, wants to get on the ball and he will add a lot of things to the team – energy and determination."

North End will have to adhere to the 25-man squad rule in the Championship as they do their January business.

There is a limit of 25 players above the age of 21 allowed, although they can have an unlimited amount of players below 21.

Any loan players, irrespective of age, count towards the 25.

Patrick Bauer can be removed from the squad for the remainder of the season as he recovers from surgery on a torn Achilles tendon.

There could be a couple of players allowed to leave on loan to create room.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here