Town have confirmed the signing of Preston defender Josh Earl on loan for the rest of the season.

News of the Blues’ interest in the 21-year-old broke yesterday with Town understood to have fought off interest from Rotherham and the Chicago Fire to recruit Earl.

The new signing, a left-back or centre-half, looks to have come into the squad as a replacement for Toto Nsiala, who joined Bolton on loan on Friday, but could also allow Luke Garbutt to push forward into midfield if the Blues revert to a four-man backline at some point.

"The move came around quite quickly, I got told on the Friday that I was possibly moving down to Ipswich on Sunday and I’m here now and can’t wait to get started," Earl told the club site.

"I watched the game back and the lads played really well on Saturday, so hopefully we can carry that form into tomorrow’s match at Oxford.

"I feel as though it’s a great squad and the only aim for everyone this season is to push for the top two."

He added: “As soon as I heard Ipswich wanted me that was it. They are pushing for the automatic promotion places and it looks an exciting club to be part of so it was an easy decision.

“There are good players here and the target is obviously to get back in the Championship.

"It’s a challenge I want to be part of, an exciting challenge and that was key to me really. It’s a great move for me.

“The games come thick and fast and I’m here to play my part. It’s up to me to get a place in the team and hold on to the shirt.”

Southport-born Earl, who has been handed the number three shirt by Town, came through the youth system at Preston, where he is contracted to 2021, and has made 31 senior starts and six sub appearances for the Lilywhites without scoring.

Earl, who had a spell on loan in non-league with Lancaster City in 2017, joined Bolton on loan in the summer but picked up an ankle injury on the opening day which sidelined him until November.

In total 6ft 4in tall Earl made 10 starts and one sub appearance for the Trotters, initially playing at left-back, which has been his primary role up to this season, before latterly moving to centre-half. Bolton manager Keith Hill opted not to renew his loan last week.

Earl is likely to go straight into the squad for Tuesday’s trip to Oxford United.

Photos: Action Images/ITFC

CraigEdwards added 15:30 - Jan 13 who remembers the time we were rumoured to be buying Gabriel Batistuta? Ok, we actually got Adrian Paz, but don't those times seem long ago Sorry but it wasn't Adrian Paz it was another legend Sergio baltacha. Signed but John Duncan . He scored on his debut beating Stoke 5.1.
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therein61 added 15:33 - Jan 13 Welcome to the Town Josh your versatility will be welcome in the hectic weeks to come.
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Northstandveteran added 15:55 - Jan 13 0-0 at half time and a certain Mick Mills in charge of Stoke that day @CraigEdwards. I was a youngling in the family enclosure that day 😁
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runningout added 15:56 - Jan 13 Would be a massive backward step to sell Woolfenden. Not unless large fee and large add ons
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Bergholtblue added 15:57 - Jan 13 Ah! Fond memories of Sergei Baltacha. One of the world's great sweepers at the time and Duncan played him as a wide midfielder. Some things never change. That 5 -1 win v Stoke, was Mick Mills in charge of them at the time?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:10 - Jan 13 Sounds a solid move in our present position. Welcome, Josh, I've a feeling you'll do well for us. Potential for development too åt only 21.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:18 - Jan 13 PS: Not everyone likes PL's rotation system, but I think we can trust him to pick a good loanee. Garbutt is a prime example and Wilson hade been pretty reliable too.
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jas0999 added 16:20 - Jan 13 Don't like the fact we have shipped out one of our players (albeit a good move for all) and replaced with a loan. Could understand bringing in an experienced CB to tide us over, but developing another teams youngster ... backwards move in my opinion and completely against the philosophy previously sold by the club. Smacks of not learning our lesson.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:21 - Jan 13 ***Bloody predictive text on a tiny Swedish keyboard and a jumpy bus!!!@!@***
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TimmyH added 16:43 - Jan 13 Lets be honest at least 1 loan was always going to be on the cards this transfer window (if no players are sold for X amount)...I was hoping for a Premiership midfield all rounder (then I woke up).
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Saxonblue74 added 06:18 - Jan 14 Quote from a Preston fans forum "Good move for both parties, I hope he gets back his pre Bolton form, a marauding left back with pace, power and quality." Many are concerned about ever getting him back if we are promoted. That'll do for me!
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raycrawfordswig added 07:43 - Jan 14 Need to be signing younger players ,Chambers and Skuse are not the long term options.
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