'We'll communicate with Everton over Armstrong'

Preston North End head coach Paul Heckingbottom said he will stay in discussion with Everton boss David Moyes about the possibility of keeping hold of midfielder Harrison Armstrong.

Armstrong has made 15 Championship appearances for the Lilywhites this season, starting in 11 of those games and scoring one goal.

The England Under-18 international initially joined on a season-long loan in the summer but Heckingbottom is hopeful that the Premier League side will not recall him.

"We'll wait and see. I spoke to David [Moyes] about it last week," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I'm really respectful that Harrison is Everton's player. I'm really grateful that we managed to get him, and David is really respectful, obviously, of this football club.

"He knows I'll look after him and he'll be in a better place having been here, but he (Moyes) knows he can't leave himself exposed with the tough job he's got in the Premier League.

"We'll keep communicating about it and see where it ends up."

Heckingbottom serves the last of a three-game touchline ban by the FA after being found guilty of misconduct when he takes his side to Stoke City on Friday (15:00) and discussed his suspension from the sidelines.

"I don't enjoy it. I've had a belting one this time, I've never heard it before. So, I can't go in the dressing room before the game - half an hour before or half-time or half an hour after - which I've never heard of before.

"In Scotland you get banned from the dressing room, but down here it's usually you can't go touchline side but you can be in the dressing room and be in a half-time.

"We're still talking during the game and if there's things I think I want to say I'll say them over the screen and then the staff have got their usual roles when they're following up and picking out the individual bits for key players.

"It's me that doesn't like it. I'd love to be on the sideline. It's the same game, it's just worse up there."