Paul Heckingbottom shares update on the possibility of PNE signing Leeds United’s Sam Greenwood permanently

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Paul Heckingbottom has helped bring the best out of Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood at Preston North End.

Since taking over from Ryan Lowe back in August, Heckingbottom has moved Greenwood back to the position he was so prolific in during his academy days at Arsenal and Elland Road – striker.

Having served a three-match ban for a red card he picked up against Blackburn Rovers, Greenwood has gone onto score four goals and provide two assists in his last eight matches.

PNE teammate Will Keane recently hailed Greenwood’s ‘technical ability‘ and work rate, which have become crucial to Heckingbottom’s side.

Without his contributions in the final third, PNE could quite easily have found themselves in the bottom three. They are winless in eight, but six of them have been draws, which is largely down to Greenwood.

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Heckingbottom delivers update on Greenwood permanent deal

Greenwood joined PNE on a season-long-loan deal during the summer and according to the Lancashire Evening Post, there is a complicated future purchase clause.

It is said that promotion for Leeds this season could have an impact on PNE’s ability to activate it, which chairman Peter Ridsdale has put down to ‘personal circumstances’.

However, given his form this season PNE will not want to lose him easily and manager Heckingbottom was asked recently about their chances of signing him.

Again, Heckingbottom did allude to ‘all sorts’ of ‘options and clauses in contracts’ but says he is a player he likes and would like to continue working with.

He said: “Listen, I like Sam. When you talk about options and clauses in contracts, there’s all sorts – it is not as simple as that. But, if I am just looking at Sam – a young player, the attributes he has then yeah, I like working with him and I think there is more to come.

“But, he loves football, loves training and playing. He wants to play and there is a desire there to work and improve. And, he’s also got a really good work ethic in terms of that role within a team. So yeah, we’ve been pleased with him.”

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Greenwood making huge impact at PNE

It is clear not just from the form he is showing on the pitch, but also what people at PNE are saying about Greenwood, that he is having a huge impact.

Striker Keane has been full of praise for both Greenwood in and out of possession recently. It is good to hear he is combining his always excellent work rate, with quality on the ball.

He said: “Yeah, he’s a brilliant player and like you say, very intelligent. You see the technical ability he has got, but then, also, the other side of it I think he offers a lot without the ball. He’s always working hard for the team and putting his body in.

“He clearly has that understanding in and out of possession, and the manager clearly trusts him. His performances have been great of late and obviously, we need him to keep it going.”