"We should be looking" - Preston North End told to consider potential Kesler-Hayden, Sam Greenwood transfer action | OneFootball

The duo have made an impression on Preston North End supporters in the opening stages after arriving on loan for the season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Preston North End have been backed for completing the summer loan captures of Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Sam Greenwood, with both players impressing supporters so far this season.

It proved to be an unprecedented summer for the Lilywhites, with numerous fresh faces already arriving before Ryan Lowe's exit and the subsequent appointment of Paul Heckingbottom just one game into the 2024/25 Championship campaign. The former Sheffield United boss made a solitary acquisition in the remainder of the summer window by securing the loan arrival of Josh Bowler from Nottingham Forest on deadline day.

The likes of Jeppe Okkels and Teitur Thordarson Stefan represent the remainder of Preston's summer business in the way of incomings, though Kesler-Hayden and Greenwood have been identified as their pick of the bunch.

Preston North End verdict offered on Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Sam Greenwood

Both players represent previous Championship pedigree, with Kesler-Hayden turning out in the division for Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle in loan spells away from Aston Villa while Greenwood has featured for Leeds United and spent time with Middlesbrough last term.

The two loanees, aged 21 and 22 respectively, have both been lauded for their early-season impact by Football League World's Preston fan pundit Darren Watson, who has told the club to consider signing the duo on a permanent basis if their form continues.

"I think a couple bits of business that we have done well this summer is bringing in Kesler-Hayden and Greenwood on loan," Darren explained to Football League World.

"And Greenwood as well with his set-piece ability, obviously that free-kick that he scored against Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup. He's very, very good at set-pieces.

"I think they are players that maybe after their loan periods end - we'll see how the season goes first - we should be looking to think 'maybe we can get these players on a permanent basis.

"It may be quite hard, especially with the Kesler-Hayden one as he'd be coming from a Premier League club, but if he's going to get first-team football and hopefully if we can progress under Paul Heckingbottom and get into those play-off places, I think he would be a great addition if we can get up there."

Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Sam Greenwood could prove strong long-term Preston North End investments

Given the age and profiles of the two players in question, they could each prove to be a shrewd and progressive long-term investment providing they maintain their form and, of course, Preston manage to successfully broker the signings on a permanent basis next summer.

Kesler-Hayden has previously impressed out on loan and has bags of potential. The Villa academy product can operate on either side of the defence and is dynamic enough to play as a wing-back, which is crucial as Heckingbottom has continued to instill Lowe's 5-3-2 formation at Deepdale.

It must be said, however, more question marks remain over the aforementioned Greenwood.

Though talented and positionally flexible, Greenwood has struggled to establish any real courses of consistency in his young career to date and largely failed to impress at Middlesbrough last term.

Preston are believed to have a purchase option in his loan contract so they would therefore be primed to complete the deal if he continues to impress after scoring twice in their 5-0 Carabao Cup victory away at Harrogate in the second round, but they will have to veer on the right side of caution and see if he can stay consistent first - although he does have no shortage of ability, that much is clear.