Preston North End are hoping to steal ahead of both Sunderland and Ipswich in the race to sign Fleetwood Town striker Ched Evans, according to reports.

The former Sheffield United frontman is available after Joey Barton revealed disciplinary issues were behind his decision to let the prolific striker leave.

Both Ipswich and Sunderland have been in for the player already but they may have to admit defeat with Championship side Preston most now entering the race to sign the 32-year-old, according to Alan Nixon.

Evans has netted 37 goals in 99 appearances for the Cod Army but his time at Highbury is over after ‘multiple infractions’ according to Barton.

Fleetwood could still demand a fee for the player even though he has no future with the club due the fact he’s still under contract but it remains to be seen whether a deal will be reached.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Barton was quite clear that Evans had overstepped the mark, leaving him no choice but to allow the player to leave.

“He will leave the building due to his discipline and his behaviour.

“There’s been multiple infractions. We always try and give a bit of leeway but it just ran its course.

“I think Ched needs a change of scenery, a different voice. I know, short-term, we will feel that because he’s been an influential player for us before but I just think, for us, everybody has a bus stop where they get off. For multiple reasons, I think it’s one of those periods.

“I like Ched, I’ve got enormous respect for him, but at some point people keep crossing the line and as the manager there has to be a change of scenery for them.”

“We just got to that point, what that is will stay in our dressing room. It’s nothing major, it’s just a number of infractions.”