Preston North End will go into the summer transfer window with a number of squad spaces to fill, and they definitely need to strengthen if they are going to improve on this past season's 13th-placed finish in the Championship.

It looked like the Lilywhites were going to struggle until Frankie McAvoy's December departure as head coach - his replacement Ryan Lowe was a breath of fresh air though and at one stage looked as though he may lead PNE into a play-off campaign.

However, it wasn't to be though and it will be another season in the second tier for the Lancashire outfit, who saw three of their top players depart back to their parent clubs in Daniel Iversen, Sepp van den Berg and Cameron Archer.

The loan market has been very important to North End since they returned to the Championship in 2015, and it's one that they can exploit again this summer.

Let's take a look at EIGHT Premier League players who could be targeted by Lowe on loan deals in the next couple of months.

It is increasingly unlikely that North End are going to be able to get Daniel Iversen back on another loan deal from Leicester City, with the Dane seemingly ready for Premier League football or regular minutes in a top European league.

That means that PNE will have to cast their net far and wide for a replacement, and you'd hedge your bets on them being able to attract a good goalkeeper to Deepdale considering their past success in the loan market in that position.

One player who has already been linked is Manchester City youngster Bazunu, who has already amassed 10 caps for the Republic of Ireland at 20 years of age and has saved a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty.

After spending two years on loan in League One at Rochdale and Portsmouth, Bazunu is ready to take the next step, and location-wise PNE is an obvious destination.

The aforementioned Bazunu does have other clubs after him though, so there's a chance that Ryan Lowe will have to look elsewhere.

Cumming is another stopper who looks ready for the next step in his career after spells with Stevenage last season and then Gillingham and MK Dons during the 2021-22 campaign in League Two.

The 22-year-old Chelsea player kept 13 clean sheets in the regular season and averaged 4.1 saves per match at Gillingham, whilst his MK Dons saves per match was lower at 1.8 thanks to a more solid defence.

He is now worthy of making the step up to the second tier and PNE could offer him that opportunity.

Another position that needs to be addressed is the right wing-back slot - Brad Potts filled in admirably in the second half of the season, but Lowe is looking for someone more attacking and is quicker.

One player who possesses both of those traits is Norton-Cuffy, who was sent out on his first loan spell from Arsenal in the second half of the 2021-22 season to Lincoln City.

Michael Appleton, a former PNE player, is a manager who gets the best out of young loanees and Norton-Cuffy flourished at the Imps - especially on the attacking end with his lung-busting runs down the right.

Despite still being wildly inexperienced at just 18 years of age, Norton-Cuffy has a lot of potential and that could be recognised at North End.

If not Norton-Cuffy, then Lowe could reach out to his old friend Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa and secure a loan for Kaine Kesler.

The 19-year-old started off last season in League Two at Swindon Town, but his performance against Manchester City in January in the FA Cup was impressive enough for Villa to recall him for a couple of weeks.

Following that, Kesler headed up a level to MK Dons on loan, playing 17 times for the Dons with one goal and one assist notched.

Kesler is on an upward trajectory and with a lot of pace and flair, he's the kind of player that would suits Lowe's system on the right flank.

Another player that is unlikely to come back to PNE from last season is Sepp van den Berg, with the Liverpool man destined for greater things following his year-and-a-half at Deepdale.

One player that could replace the Dutchman on the right-hand side of the defence is Mengi, who has already departed Manchester United twice on loan to Championship clubs since January 2021.

The 20-year-old is a former captain of the Red Devils' under-18's and played nine times for Birmingham City this past season before injury curtailed his campaign.

If he's able to stay fit then Mengi would be an asset to a Championship side next season, and he's got the pace and ability on the ball to fit right into Lowe's system.

It appears that North End are looking for a creative midfielder to rotate with Daniel Johnson on the left-hand side of a midfield three, and James McAtee could really fit the bill.

Whilst it may be an ambitious one considering he's made appearances for Manchester City's first-team this season, 19-year-old McAtee is clearly past developmental football now after 18 goals and seven assists for their under-23's in 23 outings.

There's probably other Championship clubs that can offer a higher wage contribution than North End that would love McAtee in their team, but he's a creative spark that could really have a breakout season in senior football if he headed to Deepdale.

Archer is no secret to PNE supporters having spent the second half of the 2021-22 season at Deepdale.

The 20-year-old ended the season with seven goals in 20 appearances, including an important one against North End's bitter rivals Blackpool, and he was a fan favourite by the end of his time at the club due to his all-round performances.

Steven Gerrard is already assessing Archer in training back at Aston Villa now his loan spell has ended, and it remains to be seen if he is allowed back out on loan for the 2022-23 season.

Lowe has already revealed though that discussions have taken place with the young striker regarding next season, and that if he is available to depart once again then Deepdale is the only place he wants to be playing - so there's hope of a return.

If Archer impresses Gerrard and does not become available, then North End will need to be in the market for an alternative.

And 22-year-old Brentford striker Forss could be a good partner for Emil Riis next season as his chances of first-team football with the Bees looks limited thanks to Ivan Toney.

The Finland international scored eight times in 42 Championship appearances in 2020-21, but this past season's half-season loan stint with Hull City wasn't so successful, with just one goal and one assist in 11 outings - although Shota Arveladze didn't hand many starts to Forss.

A change of scenery could do Forss good, and a Nordic partnership up-front with Riis at Deepdale could flourish.