Preston North End will let winger Josh Bowler return to Nottingham Forest this winter, according to reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon page.
Preston are prepared to cut ties with the attacker next month. He made the switch to Deepdale on a temporary basis in the last transfer window.
preston north end, Nottingham Forest man could return from EFL loan
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
Bowler, 25, has since struggled to make an impact with the Lancashire outfit. He has made nine appearances in all competitions so far this season, seven of which have come in the Championship, and he hasn’t scored.
In this latest update regarding his situation by journalist Nixon on Patreon, he may well head back to Nottingham Forest ahead of the January transfer window. His parent club would then have a big decision to make on what to do next with him.
Preston were beaten 2-1 away at QPR over the weekend. Defender Liam Lindsay went sent off for them against the Hoops.
Preston North End loan latest
The Lilywhites landed Bowler to add more competition and depth to their ranks.
However, his move hasn’t worked out and he has struggled to make an impact.
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After linking up with them in late August, he said, as per BBC Sport: “I’m very happy. I’m looking forward to getting started and playing football again and enjoying it. After speaking to the manager about how he wants to play and what his plan is for me, it was really good and it was something I was looking forward to.
“It’s obviously going to be a little bit different to what the fans are used to seeing but it’s going to be exciting because it’s a forward-thinking, aggressive style of play which I’m ready to get playing.”
preston north end, Nottingham Forest man could return from EFL loan
Image courtesy of: JOHN CLIFTON/REUTERS.
Bowler had spells as a youngster at Fulham, Aldershot Town and QPR. He joined Everton in 2017 and spent four years with the Toffees.
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The attacker was loaned out to Hull City before he was snapped up by Blackpool and became a key player for the Tangerines.
Bowler scored 10 goals in 52 games during his days at Bloomfield Road which earned him a switch to Nottingham Forest in 2022.
Recent years
He has never made a competitive senior appearance for his current team though and has instead been loaned back out to Blackpool, as well as Olympiacos and Cardiff City.
The forward spent last term with the latter and found the net on five occasions in 39 outings.
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His contract at Nottingham Forest expires in June next year and his future is up in the air.