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David Moyes | AFP via Getty Images
PNE had hoped to get Harrison Armstrong back on loan from Everton
If this was any other manager it probably wouldn’t have even been a conversation. David Moyes, given his affinity to Preston North End though, made his feelings clear straight after recalling Harrison Armstrong on January 1.
He had no choice but to do that given the blows suffered within Everton’s squad at the time. Sadly, for the Deepdale club, in the end he also had no choice but to go with head over heart. Armstrong has not been a spare part over the last few weeks; far from it.
When a player starts in the Premier League and plays 80 minutes, chances of them being loaned out 48 hours later look extremely slim. It wasn’t just that, mind. This was the midfielder’s fifth successive start for the Toffees, across all competitions. He played 90 minutes in a one-nil win at Villa Park. While Everton’s squad has gradually been boosted, Armstrong’s path to first team minutes never looked well and truly blocked.
And so, the teenager stays with the Toffees; his 17 appearances on loan for PNE all there will be. No doubt, his career will blossom over the next few years. There was certainly a feeling among fans at Deepdale that they were watching a future top flight star, perhaps even England.
What a boost it would’ve been for Preston to see Armstrong walk back through the door, to drive a three month tilt for the play-offs. In honesty, it looked more and more unrealistic by the day. There can be no surprise, here.
Frustration that this this played out for so long may be felt by some. With every press conference and question, both to Heckingbottom and Moyes, the possibility of a return was kept open despite everything, on the pitch, pointing towards Armstrong staying put.
Ultimately, a verdict on the whole situation will be determined by how Preston react to the decision. Because, the Everton starlet was one worth waiting for; it is highly unlikely North End will be able to find someone of the same quality.
Having sold Stefan Thordarson to Hannover, though, there is a need to add in midfield - PNE are a couple of bodies light from the start of January. You can forgive North End for waiting but the warning signs have flashed ever so bright over the last few weeks. The remaining hours of the window will tell us just how prepared they were.
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