Davies makes loan switch - to Preston

Michael Bailey Stoke defender Andrew Davies has secured a loan move - to Norwich City's next opponents, Preston North End.The Canaries were all set to sign the 24-year-old was all set to become a Norwich player on transfer deadline day, but the loan move fell through because of Stoke's initial failure to tie up Stephen Kelly's arrival from Birmingham due to the snow.

Michael Bailey

Stoke defender Andrew Davies has secured a loan move - to Norwich City's next opponents, Preston North End.

The Canaries were all set to sign the 24-year-old on transfer deadline day, but the loan move fell through because of Stoke's initial failure to tie up Stephen Kelly's arrival from Birmingham due to the snow.

Kelly's move was rubber stamped the next day thanks to the Premier League allowing deals to be completed late due to the advers weather.

However, the same luxury was not afforded to Football League clubs and now Preston have been able to step in the intervening period and secure the player on a one month deal.

To rub salt in City's wounds, he will be available to make his debut against the Canaries in the Championship at Deepdale on Saturday.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has been keen to loan out Davies following the defender's failure to break into his first team because of fitness problems since his �2m move from Southampton in August.

Davies has started just one game - the FA Cup defeat at Hartlepool last month - and appeared in two Premier League games from the bench, against Manchester United and West Ham in December.

“He desperately needs games, particularly competitive matches, and that's why we've been so keen to let him go out,” said Pulis.