Preston boss Simon Grayson says the Lilywhites have received interest in several players during this transfer window but that they have made it clear they don’t want to sell. The Blues are understood to have had a second offer for striker Jordan Hugill of £2 million turned down by Saturday’s opponents, who are currently 11th in the Championship.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire Sport, Grayson said: "We’ve had opportunities to sell three or four of our first-team players this window and we’ve made it certainly clear that we’re not in the market for letting our best players go.
"Bids have been coming in and turned down from different clubs for different players but we’ve got something going at this club, hence why the owner stands by my decisions when I say I don’t want to sell X, Y and Z and he’s backing me in that respect.
"That’s the most important part of the window rather than sometimes what comes in.”
Speaking earlier this afternoon, Blues boss Mick McCarthy wouldn’t comment on whether he had made an offer for Hugill or confirm his interest but admitted the former Port Vale frontman is a player he rates.
"He's a real competitor, he works hard, he’s quick. He never gives centre-halves a minute’s peace,” he said.
"And he’s only going to get better. He added his couple of goals [in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa] at the weekend.
"He’s somebody who has come into it a little bit later than others, certainly to professional football, and he’ll be one I like.”
He added: "I won’t talk about him other than that, as I say, I like him, he’s a good player.”
Hugill is a doubt ahead of Saturday’s game having missed training this week after suffering a knee injury and being replaced 12 minutes from the end of the Villa game, which he left on crutches.
The Lilywhites hope to have him back in training on Friday and available for Saturday’s match.