Fleetwood Town striker linked with Preston North End move

Last week had seen Preston distance themselves from media reports which suggested 32-year-old Evans was on the radar.

However, the stance appears to have changed since, with them certainly now having an interest in the Welshman’s availability.

Fleetwood boss Joey Barton had announced before Christmas that Evans was no longer wanted by him at Highbury.

Speaking after their match with Wigan Athletic on December 19, Barton said: “There’s been multiple infractions. We always try and give a bit of leeway but it just ran its course.

“I think Ched needs a change of scenery, a different voice.

“I know, short-term, we will feel that because he’s been an influential player for us before but I just think, for us, everybody has a bus stop where they get off. For multiple reasons, I think it’s one of those periods.

“I like Ched, I’ve got enormous respect for him, but at some point people keep crossing the line and as the manager there has to be a change of scenery.”

While those comments made it look like the striker would leave immediately, Evans remains on the payroll at Fleetwood, is under contract for the remainder of the season and they would want a fee for him.

Evans hasn’t played at Championship level since March 2018, that during his second spell with Sheffield United.

He joined Fleetwood in July 2018, spending a season on loan with them before signing permanently in August 2019 and scoring 37 goals in 99 appearances.

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