The chances of Callum Lang squaring up against Portsmouth as maiden Preston North End bow awaits
Callum Lang sealed his Pompey exit on Monday evening and completed a switch to Championship rivals Preston North End.
Callum Lang brought an emotional close to his two-year Pompey affiliation on Monday.
The winger had been the centre of heavy transfer speculation throughout the winter transfer window, with PNE reigniting their interest after a failed summer attempt.
North End had forked out a club-record fee to land Lang, who has been limited to just eight outings in the Championship for Pompey this term due to injury.
Will Callum Lang play against Pompey this weekend?
The forward had been sidelined for the Blues’ previous seven matches with a hamstring issue, sustained after a 1-1 draw against QPR on Boxing Day.
But the ex-Fratton favourite was closing in on a much-anticipated comeback before his deadline-day switch, having completed a return to training at the end of January.
The former Fratton has already been pictured running through his drills with his new Preston team mates, with all fingers pointing to a potential debut coming against the Blues this weekend.
It remains highly-unlikely Lang will start from the off for the Championship clash at Deepdale, with Lewis Dobbin and Alfie Devine impressing in the attacking-midfield department for Paul Heckingbottom’s side this term.
For members of the Fratton faithful who are making the long trip to Lancashire there is, though, a strong possibility of catching the deadline-day departee in action for his new club.
It’s expected the ex-Wigan Athletic man will feature from the bench on Saturday afternoon and play some part as North End look to get their play-off push back on track.
Lang netted two goals for the Blues prior to his exit at the close of the window, having been sidelined with two separate hamstring issues.
What has Paul Heckingbottom said on Callum Lang signing
After a reported failed swoop in the summer, Preston reignited their interest last month, with suggestions of a bid emerging.
As the window progressed, a deal had been hanging in the balance right up until the final knockings of the market before the Lilywhites sealed the swoop on Monday evening.
And Heckingbottom explained the difficulties in getting a deal over the line for Lang.
The North End boss told the official club website: ‘I’m delighted. It's been a tough one to get over the line and get done. We've worked really hard to get the deal done, so delighted we could get it over the line in the end.
‘He brings Championship experience; he’s scored goals wherever he's been. He is a versatile attacking player, but we're really clear about how we want to use him. Getting him in the box, being really aggressive to attack the ball and being really aggressive out of possession as well.’