Preston North End given fresh Harrison Armstrong hope as Everton news emerges | OneFootball

Preston North End could be able to sign Harrison Armstrong on loan from Everton once again this summer after recent developments

Preston North End are set for a mid-table finish in the Championship, despite boasting strong play-off hopes earlier on in the campaign.

Despite sitting in fourth position in early January after a 2-0 win away at Bristol City, the wheels soon fell off for Paul Heckingbottom's side, and the Lilywhites' performances since the turn of the year have largely been poor, with plenty of work to do in the transfer window to ensure that they have greater top six credentials next term.

Whether or not that transfer window sees the funding of Saudi-US businessman Amr Zedan come in remains to be seen, but it seems clear that PNE's downturn in recent months has been partly due to the fact that former loan star Harrison Armstrong was recalled by Everton in January.

The 19-year-old made an impressive impact in 17 Championship appearances for North End and has gone on to make 11 Premier League outings for the Toffees this term - but almost quite predictably, he's since gone missing from David Moyes' 20-man matchday squads.

Harrison Armstrong update hands Preston North End fresh transfer hope

It wasn't goals and assists that made Armstrong popular amongst the PNE fanbase - he only notched one of each - but it was his drive, determination and skill to get the ball and move it up the pitch, making them a more dangerous team in the process.

The teenager's sole goal came in a 1-1 draw with Wrexham in December, whereas he produced an assist in November's 2-1 triumph over Swansea City.

Meanwhile, since returning to Everton, Armstrong has been utilised both out wide and in an attacking midfield position, in contrast to the slightly more defensive role he performed at Preston.

He initially enjoyed plenty of game time upon rejoining the Merseyside outfit, starting in Premier League meetings with Wolves, Aston Villa, Brighton, Fulham, and Manchester United.

The former North End loan star also played for all 120 minutes as David Moyes' men were defeated by Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup, via a penalty shootout.

However, since Everton's 1-0 defeat to Man United on February 23, Armstrong has endured a lack of minutes thanks to more senior players getting fit, plus Dwight McNeil and Tyrique George being given more chances in advanced roles.

The 19-year-old was named as an unused substitute for last month's Premier League meetings with Burnley and Chelsea, but he has subsequently missed out on matchday selection since, with no fewer than 10 players in midfield or attacking midfield roles ahead of Armstrong now.

As reported by TeamTalk, the teen's recent omissions from the Merseyside club's matchday squads have been down to selection calls, rather than an injury, and in his preferred position, Armstrong faces competition from the likes of James Garner and Idrissa Gana Gueye, who have both played a major role in Everton's bid to qualify for Europe.

The fact that the teenager has fallen down the pecking order at the Hill Dickinson Stadium opens the door for Preston to acquire his services on loan once again this summer.

He is under contract until the summer of 2028, so the Toffees still have plenty of time to allow Armstrong to continue his development before deciding whether to include him as a first-team squad member moving forward.

Everton's Hayden Hackney interest further bolsters Preston's chances of fresh Harrison Armstrong agreement

Even though Armstrong has struggled for game time in recent weeks, amid competition, Moyes is still vying to further strengthen his midfield options ahead of next season.

According to TEAMtalk, Everton are the leading contenders to sign Middlesbrough ace Hayden Hackney, who has also attracted interest from Coventry City, following the Sky Blues' promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.

Should the Toffees sign the 23-year-old, who has been crowned as the second tier's Player of the Season, it will further damage Armstrong's chances of enjoying more game time next term.

And if it were to happen, you can only see Armstrong heading out on loan to another club - perhaps this time for the full season - to seek regular game-time to aid his development, as that is quite clearly what he needs.

Consequently, PNE would surely have a great chance of reacquiring the teenager's signature on loan - David Moyes, who used to play for and manage the Lilywhites and is still a fan to this very day, has made no secret of the fact he didn't particularly want to bring Armstrong back from Deepdale due to how well he was doing, but his hand was seemingly forced due to injuries at the time.

If there is potential Premier League interest in taking Armstrong for the season temporarily, then that is another matter, but if he heads back into the Championship, then the England youth international's perfect destination is surely back in PR1.