Preston North End fans shook their heads when Simon Grayson left for Sunderland in the summer to be replaced by former Norwich City boss Alex Neil, but with the season approaching its close, it is clear to see the Lilywhites have emerged clear winners in the managerial merry-go-round.

Whereas the Black Cats look destined for League One, Preston retain an outside shot of breaking into the top six in the closing weeks of the campaign, with Neil looking to bring Premier League football to Deepdale for the first time.

Promotion is unlikely but Preston cannot be written off, but Neil will quietly be preparing for next season with plans for both a second tier and Premier League campaign on the mind.

Whatever happens the Lilywhites need reinforcements, and this trio could emerge as serious targets when the window opens for business once more…

Neil has assembled a solid front line at Deepdale despite the departure of Jordan Hugill to West Ham in January but could look for further options this summer.

23-year-old Milinkovic has impressed in the SPL with Hearts whilst on loan from Italian side Geno and will look to play at a higher level next season if the first-team set up at the Serie A side looks unattainable.

Approaching double figures for goals and assists, the French-born winger hasn’t exactly set Scotland alight but has quietly gone about his business, with Scotsman Neil known to keep an eye on the domestic division of his homeland.

Neil will be well aware of the player of Serbian descent and could land him for a bargain price in the summer.

Not many will have heard of the quiet Northern Irish winger, but the player is certain to set the English league alight should someone take a punt on the Belfast-born man in the summer.

The 22-year-old has been in electric form for free-scoring title contenders Crusaders in the Irish Premiership table, bagging over twenty goals in the league.

Preston’s Lancaster location make the side an enticing proposition for Irish players, and Whyte deserves the opportunity to prove that he has what it takes to succeed in the English game.

The winger will cost nothing but Championship standards, and Neil simply must gamble on the player.

The 30-year-old has been a peripheral player for some time at Bournemouth and is set to leave the club in the summer with manager Eddie Howe unlikely to offer new terms before the expiration of his current deal.

An experienced defender with plenty to offer a second-tier side, the opportunity to add an experienced head to his back line is likely to appeal to Neil, especially given that Wiggins is available for nothing.

Sure to attract plenty of interest from the Championship, Preston are an enticing prospect for any player given their aspirations of Premier League football and their position as one of the ‘smaller’ clubs in the division in terms of budgets, with plenty of opportunities for football at Deepdale.

Get this deal done and Neil will be a very happy man.

Preston fans, thoughts?