Preston North End fans were losing hope that a striker that they desperately needed would be arriving this year, until a surprise came their way on October 1.

Out of seemingly nowhere, Emil Riis Jakobsen arrived from Danish side Randers, for a reported fee of £1.2 million, after netting twice in his first three games of the season in his native country.

The previous season saw Riis Jakobsen find his feet as a goalscorer, scoring 9 times in 33 league appearances for the Danish Superliga side, which alerted the likes of German side Paderborn.

But it was Deepdale where he ended up, returning to England after a three-year spell as a youth player with Derby County earlier in his career.

How's it gone so far?

As well as could be expected really, and Preston fans have already made him a cult hero.

The Lilywhites hadn't really replaced the power and pace of Jordan Hugill since his January 2018 departure, so whatever forward came in with similar attributes to him was always going to be a hit.

On the face of it, one goal in eight appearances doesn't look good, but Riis Jakobsen brings more to the Preston team than just goals.

As he showed especially against Huddersfield, Riis Jakobsen was desperately unlucky in-front of goal, and his link-up play with the attacking midfielders was spot on.

The Denmark under-21 international finally showed his prowess in-front of goal in North End's 3-0 success over Reading, slotting a one-on-one through the legs of Rafael Cabral and starting the move that led to the third and final goal.

What issues does he face?

At times already this season, North End's service to the lone striker has been very sparse indeed.

Against Rotherham last time out, Riis had little help at all from the players feeding him, and despite carving out a few chances for himself, the Millers dealt with him well and he was withdrawn before the hour mark.

North End can be guilty of being too patient at times and not being direct enough, especially at home, and if that continues, Riis may not end up breaking double figures in terms of goalscoring.

What's next?

Preston fans will be hoping more goals are coming for Riis Jakobsen.

He's shown immense promise so far, but you'd still have to worry about the lack of service that he gets at times.

What the big Dane has shown though is that he can create a chance out of absolutely nothing, and his height and power gives an entirely different option to the likes of Sean Maguire and Jayden Stockley.