Preston North End are set to allow Ched Evans to leave on loan next month with Wigan Athletic leading the race to sign him, reveals Alan Nixon in The Sun on Sunday (19.12.21, pg. 69).
Evans, 32, joined Preston midway through last season. The former Manchester City striker went on to score five goals in 21 Championship outings in the second half of last season, having scored two in five this time round.
The Welshman has recently returned to the side after being sidelined with injury, scoring two goals in his first two games back against Middlesbrough and Fulham.
But new manager Ryan Lowe is set to allow Evans to leave on loan in the January transfer window, and Wigan Athletic are said to be at the ‘front of the queue’ to land the striker.
The Latics are in need of a striker with Charlie Wyke set to spend some time on the sidelines. They currently sit in 2nd-place of the League One table after an impressive season so far under Leam Richardson, having lost just one of their last 14 in all competitions.
A like for like replacement?
Evans and Wyke are two similar strikers – both are more target men than the kind of strikers who run in behind, and both certainly know where the back of the net is.
Evans has shown throughout his career that he’s a relatively prolific striker. Although he’s struggled with injury this season he’s recently returned to the Preston side with a bang, helping Lowe to a comfortable start to life in charge of the Lilywhites with his goals.
He could be the ideal man to come into Wigan and help see them across the line to promotion, with Wyke looking likely to spend a while on the sidelines.
