‘Ready to go’ - Man City striker completes Championship loan move

Liam Delap has completed a loan move to Preston North End until the end of the season. The Manchester City striker spent the first half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Stoke City, but has opted to switch to the Lilywhites for the remainder of the season.

Delap started every game at Stoke but managed only three goals from 22 appearances for the Potters, who are currently just four points above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Preston are 10th in the table, just two points off the play-off spots. Speaking after he completed his loan move, Delap said he hopes to score the goals which will fire Ryan Lowe’s men to the play-offs. “I’m buzzing,” the 19-year-old told the club’s website. “It’s such a great club and I’m really excited to meet the boys and play in front of the fans.

“As a striker, at the end of the day, the manager wants goals so that’s what he’s said to me. I trust myself in front of goal. I trust myself to get in the right positions so if I get the opportunity then hopefully I can bring that.

“I feel like I’ve had enough experience in the Championship now and I’m ready to go,” he added. “As a group of lads and players you want to do the best you can and the manager’s obviously got the play-offs as a target, so I’m going to try and do my best to help him get that push.”

Delap’s first game for Preston could come on Saturday when they face Norwich City at home. The forward is highly regarded at City’s academy and was once described by Pep Guardiola as an ‘incredible finisher’ and having ‘special quality’. Delap has made six senior appearances for the Premier League champions and has scored one goal.