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...

Despite a very solid start to the season, Preston North End manager Alex Neil is seemingly still looking to strengthen his squad further, knowing he will need great depth within his side if he is to maintain a promotion challenge over the course of an arduous Championship season.

One name linked with a loan move to Deepdale is young Manchester United midfielder James Garner, who may be allowed out on loan in the New Year to gain first team experience, as reported in The Sun.

So would Garner prove a good addition to the Preston first-team squad? Is he needed?

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

Kris Smith

“This would be a good signing for Preston to add cover to their impressive midfield pairing of Paul Gallagher and Ben Pearson.

“Preston are in strong form at the moment with those two holding midfielders being a key part to the way Preston play, with high pressing to win the ball and set up counter-attacks.

“Garner would be well suited to this position and role in the side and could learn a lot from the two currently in the side, even if he doesn’t get constant game-time.

“This signing would be well worth it for Preston even if it just adds cover to Gallagher and Pearson. Garner will grow from playing with those two and Neil could find a way to incorporate all three.”

George Brooks

"Garner is an exciting young player and he could be a decent signing for Preston, but I'm not sure it would be the best move for him.

"He'll be determined to prove that he deserves a chance in the first team at Manchester United, so he needs to go to a club where he will get chances in the first team.

"He's clearly a talented player, but he's never been out on loan before and he has no experience in the Championship.

"Given that Preston have started so well this season, I really can't see Garner getting many opportunities in the team if he were to move to Deepdale.

"Sunderland are thought to be interested in him, so perhaps he'd be better of moving to the Stadium of Light, as he's far more likely to get game time in League One than he is for Alex Neil's side in my opinion."

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Jordan Rushworth

"Preston are enjoying an excellent season so far, with Tuesday's draw against Leeds United keeping them firmly inside the play-off places, and a massive part of that form has been the performances of Preston's midfield players.

"The likes of Daniel Johnson, Alan Browne, Ben Pearson and Paul Gallagher have been in brilliant form when called upon in middle of the park by Alex Neil, who also has Tom Bayliss to call upon as well who is struggling to force his way into the side having joined from Coventry City in the summer.

"Therefore, while Garner would certainly add some extra quality to Preston's midfield, it would perhaps not be that necessary an addition, unless Preston were to suffer an injury crisis in midfield in the next few weeks.

"Garner will be needing regular first team minutes to develop and prove his worth, and that might be hard to come by at the moment at Deepdale, so for the midfielder Preston might not be the best destination in January."