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Preston's Earl Signs on Loan
Monday, 13th Jan 2020 11:17

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



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ArnieM added 12:24 - Jan 13
People that are moaning ( again, incredibly!!) about Towns latest signing appear to have forgotten or overlooked this Clubs plan to .....”develop their own players from our academy, and to identify and recruit young players from outside the Club,with the view to develop them further for Ipswich.”
4

BlueandTruesince82 added 12:27 - Jan 13
Gilsey, we did get Tarrico at the same time though
0

carlo88 added 12:39 - Jan 13
Highly rated by both Bolton and PNE fans, if you read their forums. Looks like a good deal.
2

Suffolkboy added 12:43 - Jan 13
Smashing to read the positive, optimistic welcoming appreciation of recruiting a young man with at least
all the qualities we can look to build on ; AND who brings height and substance both to defensive as well as offensive duties .
The lack of physicality and heading power has been an identifiable weakness in our set up ,as we've nobody at present who might dominate in the air ,or can be a real target !
Looks a great option,hope he really settles and that we then might buy later on !
COYB
4

Bildestoned added 12:48 - Jan 13
Get on your bad Batistuta and ride!
0

MickMillsTash added 12:49 - Jan 13
We need a left footed centre back. so this is good news and makes sense.

2

TractorRoyNo1 added 12:52 - Jan 13
Welcome if you turn out to be as good as Wilson all will be fine.
Personally I hope you don't get many games as it will mean our current back 3 are doing well and Lsmbo has stopped tinkering.
0

cat added 12:54 - Jan 13
Like the sound of this chap. The defence imo is the only area we need to strengthen and with this guys versatility it appears a win, win.
2

BettyBlue added 12:59 - Jan 13
How many loan players have we actually bought/signed over the last ten years?
Ans: None
-6

BettyBlue added 13:01 - Jan 13
What are you sycophants going to say when we miss out on promotion?
-4

herfie added 13:06 - Jan 13
A warm welcome to a great club. Hopefully you'll quickly settle in and become a valued squad member, and prove any doubters that astute signings still exist. Pretty sure the majority of supporters will back you all the way. COYB!
3

runaround added 13:07 - Jan 13
Welcome to Portman Road Josh
5

Bluearmy_81 added 13:32 - Jan 13
Betty, whatever they say it won't be blaming Evans!! Unbelievable sycophancy, you're right. Supporting the status quo when Town are sh ite and at their lowest ebb is not good support. Lickspittals
-5

Saxonblue74 added 13:32 - Jan 13
Pleased with this, hopefully will do well and become a permanent signing. BettyBlue, you make Morrissey seem like the eternal optimist!
3

Tony88 added 13:48 - Jan 13
Could be a good signing and if we slap a 20m price on Woolf it should stop the interest of Sheffield Utd.
1

inghamspur added 13:55 - Jan 13
Wait and see once we see him kick a ball.
2

runningout added 14:02 - Jan 13
Would be very bland without negatives here. Most are negative because they care a lot.
-1

ThaiBlue added 14:06 - Jan 13
Lets give the guy a chance and see what he can do for us,ive got a feeling he will be just fine.
1

Hegansheros added 14:15 - Jan 13
He is a straightforward replacement for Nsiala, only here u til the end of the season.. If he is rubbish we will not want to keep him, if he does well Preston will want more than a tenner for him, puts us out of the market.
1

Gilesy added 14:22 - Jan 13
Argh - got totally confused over the "vote up" and "vote down" buttons. I wish there was a way to retract a vote!
0

BeattiesBackPocket added 14:45 - Jan 13
As much as Lambert didn't want to have to use the loan market he's realising under Evans that's his only option as we won't fund buying.
Let's give this guy our support plenty of players leave or don't get on at clubs as it's not a good fit or management or footballing styles I just hope this isn't as cover for offloading one of our rising stars in Woolfenden 🤞
2

beornioblue added 14:55 - Jan 13
gilesy .. there is do your vote then press f5 to refresh and you can then press the opposite vote to cancel
0

TimmyH added 14:58 - Jan 13
Wish him all the best, personally feel PL will probably use him as a 'secondary' defender if injuries occur like Nsiala as not that experienced but you never know with Lambert.

All the best Josh whilst here!
3

bluerico added 15:05 - Jan 13
Some more height and hopefully physicality to our defence. Not a well known name but is young and not some 30+ journryman. Welcome to ITFC and good luck.
1

Northstandveteran added 15:17 - Jan 13
Very pleased with this signing.

Finding players of quality does see to be one of Lambert's attributes.

Hopefully this young man will prove to be one of these.

Regarding some of the comments about Woolfenden.

Should a premier league club make an offer to increase his wages tenfold, it will happen.

There is no way a club in the third tier can compete with that regardless of loyalty, Evans or Lambert.

Yet another advantage of relegation hey Londontractor? 😉
2


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