This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Preston North End manager Alex Neil has his side flying in the Championship at the moment, with the Lilywhites second in the table following their weekend victory over Charlton Athletic.

A consequence of their fine form though is potential interest in their players from the Premier League, in particular as side's in the top flight look to snap up a Championship bargain.

One player currently in the spotlight is 24-year-old midfielder Ben Pearson who has been a regular for Neil so far this season as they have mounted a strong promotion challenge, and is now reported to be a transfer target of Burnley, according to the print edition of the Sun on Sunday (November 3, page 61).

So would Pearson be a good signing for the Clarets? Is he good enough for the Premier League?

We discuss...........

Ned Holmes

"This looks as if it could be a really smart bit of business by the Premier League club.

"Preston have made an excellent start to the season and Pearson has been key to that form.

"The deep-lying playmaker has started all but one of the Championship games this season and has done a fantastic job–protecting the back four and launching attacks.

"Obviously, the 24-year-old would need to adapt to making the step up to the Premier League but he looks a talented player and I think could fit well at the base of Burnley's midfield."

Louie Chandler

"He would be an excellent fit for Sean Dyche's side.

"Pearson is not a nice player to play against. In midfield, he is a pest, a tough tackler and often a deliberate fouler. That is his style and it is what has made him so important to Preston.

"You imagine that those are all characteristics that Dyche would absolutely love to have in his industrious midfield unit.

"It will cost a pretty penny to land him in January, however, and I suspect that Pearson himself will be keen to see out this potentially thrilling season with North End."

[freshpress-poll ]

Chris Thorpe

"Ben Pearson would represent a low cost piece of business for the Clarets if they were to make a move, with the 24-year-old Preston man also sure to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

"He would add some much needed steel to the Burnley midfield as he would ideally sit deep in front of the back four to perform a screening role when his side are out of possession.

"This would be a transfer which follows the modern day trend of Premier League sides taking more gambles on Championship players in the transfer market, showing that the quality of the second division has increased.

"They would be signing a midfielder who is just entering his prime years as a player, so I think this is a transfer that would make a lot of sense for all parties that are involved in the deal."