A question of balance

That's the verdict coming out of Preston North End this week as Whites manager Billy Davies continues to cast his net in the hunt for new players.

Striker Patrick Agyemang was joined on the new arrivals list by Rotherham winger Chris Sedgwick this week.

And Davies is determined to stamp his mark on the squad with more new signings -- starting with a permanent deal for Portsmouth defender John Curtis, whose second month-long loan at Deepdale has come to an end.

Davies confirmed this weekend that he expected some players to leave as a result, but wouldn't be drawn on who might go and on what terms.

Preston do have youngsters on their books who could benefit from loan deals -- such as striker Joe O'Neil, who returned from Mansfield earlier this month -- while others could be sold.

Former manager Craig Brown's final signing, Andy Smith, hasn't shined at all since arriving, having started on the wrong foot by giving away a penalty within 10 minutes of his first appearance on the Deepdale pitch.

He is now on loan at Stockport County, and with the arrival of Agyemang, his future at Deepdale doesn't look bright.

Davies has insisted the emphasis is on bringing in quality, and won't be rushed into making snap signings.

He said: "We have added well with Patrick and Chris and we do need more.

"There will have to be players going the other way. I would like to bring John Curtis here permanently because he is top class, and there will be more faces after that."

Sedgwick, 24, has played at Rotherham all his footballing life and according to Davies, can play in a variety of positions.

"One of the things we would like to see from Chris now is to be able to go and put himself in different positions and to go and do what he is good at which is getting at people, putting balls into the box, scoring goals and also creating them.

"As with Patrick, I think his best football is ahead of him. They are both talented and the next few months should be very exciting."