Preston North End picked Charlton Athletic’s pockets with £0 transfer - they have hit the jackpot | OneFootball

Thierry Small has been one of the signings of the season through his Deepdale impact

Preston North End have emerged as one of the surprise packages of the Championship season thus far, and their fine start only continued in midweek.

After suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City following the October international break, Paul Heckingbottom's side are in inspired form once more, having recorded three victories on the spin against Sheffield United, Southampton and Swansea City.

A 2-1 success over Alan Sheehan's side on Wednesday night saw the Lilywhites climb back into fourth place in the second tier, having accumulated 25 points from the first 42 available.

Such an impressive start has followed a necessary and major squad reshuffle in this part of Lancashire, with the one-time promotion winner with the Blades making a whole host of changes at Deepdale, which saw many long-serving players depart and a raft of new players providing fresh energy to the squad after a near-relegation experience at the end of last season.

It has often been documented that North End's financial backing has been a sticking point when it comes to attracting players in comparison to divisional rivals. However, it must be said that this season, it is looking like a blessing, with one player in particular proving to be one of the buys of the Championship season.

Thierry Small has certainly filled a gap within Heckingbottom's 3-1-4-2 system which needed addressing over the course of the summer, and one which has seen the vastly experienced Andrew Hughes return to his natural position on the left side of North End's rearguard instead of an advanced wing-back role.

The Solihull-born figure had previously been unable to fully showcase his potential and high-quality ability at Everton and Southampton, who were then in the Premier League, before eventually making the first permanent move of his young career thus far in February, when he moved to Preston's now-league rivals, Charlton Athletic.

It proved to be a crucial move for the 21-year-old, who would reunite with his former Saints boss, Nathan Jones, just weeks later.

An impressive initial 14-game period in which the Addicks firmly steered themselves away from relegation danger was enough to trigger a one-year contract extension, which proved to be key, yet dangerous for the South London side as they made great strides of progress under the Welshman.

Such circumstances ultimately proved to be the case, as after initial interest from Preston surfaced in January, Small would turn down the offer of a new contract at The Valley after posting two goals and three assists from an array of left or right-sided positions, and it's certainly Heckingbottom who has been the beneficiary.

Indeed, the ex-West Brom academy graduate's versatility has been a key weapon of choice for the 48-year-old in the opening three months of the campaign, being stationed in an advanced midfield role on either flank, as well as playing at right-back against Albion due to a change in system.

Small netted back-to-back goals against Hull City and the Addicks last month, only intensifying a sense of major transfer regret for the Londoners with a well-taken finish, before going one better with what some are describing as a 'Puskas Award'-style strike against the Swans, bending a stunning effort past Lawrence Vigouroux after just eight minutes to set the tone for a seventh win of the campaign.

Thierry Small could make Preston North End a major profit after £0 transfer

It is easy to forget sometimes that Small is still just 21 years of age, having played with real maturity, composure and quality for some time.

He isn't the only standout prospect for North End at present too, having hit further jackpots with the additions of Harrison Armstrong, Alfie Devine and Lewis Dobbin in loan swoops from Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa respectively.

However, through the penning of a four-year contract, the side who are hoping to return to the top flight for the first time in over 60 years this term, will feel their chances of making a hefty profit on Small's services skyrocket with every passing week.

Of course, there is no real need for the hierarchy to focus on such a predicament just five months after he officially signed for the club, but it wouldn't surprise anyone should his remarkable form and upward trajectory continue.