Preston to sign striker Hume

Norwich City's next opponents, Preston, are set to sign Barnsley striker Iain Hume on loan.

The Canada international is set to join North End on Friday on a 93-day loan with a view to signing permanently in January.

Hume is set for a detailed medical tomorrow after he suffered a fractured skull two years ago.

The Canaries visit Deepdale on Saturday looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat Doncaster.

Hume was on the bench for Barnsley at Carrow Road only on Saturday.

Manager Darren Ferguson revealed the loan deal was in the pipeline after last night's 2-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest.

And he confirmed Hume, 26, was the player he tried to sign before the close of the transfer window last month.

Ferguson said: “We've done the deal with Barnsley and we'll sign Iain on Friday subject to a thorough medical tomorrow night.

“We tried to get him last month but Barnsley wouldn't agree to certain things, and the deal got chucked at Iain quite quickly.

“He's got good experience in this league, he's always scored goals, and can play left-wing, right-wing and up front.

“When you look at what happened to him with the fractured skull and what has happened since, it shows the lad's character.

“A lot of people would have given up as it was an horrendous injury.

“I think he needs a fresh challenge and he'll get that here.”

Meanwhile, Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has been charged with using abusive and/or provocative gestures.

Lonergan has been charged for his conduct towards opposing supporters at the end of the match between Burnley and Preston at Turf Moor on Saturday. He has until Monday, September 20, to respond to the charge.

Manager Ferguson has admitted a charge of improper conduct aggravated by insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour relating to his conduct towards referee Kevin Friend in the tunnel following the same match. The case will be dealt with by a regulatory commission as a non-personal hearing on Thursday, September 16.