PNE Manager Alan Irvine has expressed his hope in bringing Paul Gallagher back to Deepdale for a second time.

The attacker returned to parent club Blackburn Rovers following the away defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, upon completing a four-month loan period with North End.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a good run of form towards the latter end of his spell, starting the last six of his total 19 appearances.

Irvine said: "I've spoken to Mark (Hughes) and obviously things have changed a little bit at Blackburn just this week with Jason Roberts indicating he wants to move and they lost Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire in one game.

"I believe Gally was actually in their squad today, now that might change in the next week or so and Mark and I have agreed that we'll keep an eye on the situation and see whether it is possible to bring him back.

"First and foremost Paul would rather play for Blackburn Rovers. If he was doing that then I'm quite sure he wouldn't want to come back but if he is not playing for them, then I would hope that he would like to come back."

With rumours abound of potential additions to the Lilywhites squad, Irvine also reassured fans that he doesn't expect to see anyone else leave Deepdale in January following the permanent departures of Pat Agyemang, Danny Pugh and Adam Nowland.

The Gaffer added: "We've had phone calls for players but they are not for sale. Patrick was the one player where it would have been very difficult for us to keep him here. He was into the last few months of his contract and he was being offered a considerable pay rise, and as people know, a very long contract to go down to QPR.

"The other players are all under contract and they aren't for sale. We need to add players that's for sure."

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