Everton’s gain with Harrison Armstrong is Preston’s loss amid dramatic Championship slide

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Harrison Armstrong has had a whirlwind season – but the youngster’s former loan club Preston North End have really missed him since his recall by Everton.

Harrison Armstrong went back to Everton at the start of January, with David Moyes needing cover amid a shortage of players.

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Idrissa Gana Gueye was at AFCON, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Charly Alcaraz were both injured.

Moyes maintained throughout January that he wanted to send Armstrong back to Preston to continue his development.

The Scot was keen to avoid a scenario of Armstrong sitting on the bench at Everton playing second fiddle to more experienced players, when he could be playing every game for Preston.

But the decision was ultimately taken to keep hold of Armstrong after he impressed – and this has certainly not been good for Preston.

• READ MORE: Harrison Armstrong names his favourite-ever Everton player

Preston’s form has nosedived since Everton recalled Armstrong

Armstrong had featured heavily for Preston before his recall, making 17 appearances in total – all of those coming in the Championship.

At the time of his recall, Preston sat seventh in the Championship, firmly in contention for promotion via the play-offs.

Since his last appearance against Wrexham, Preston’s form has absolutely nosedived.

They’ve won just three times, drawn three, and lost eight.

This dramatic loss of form has seen the club slide all the way down to 17th in the table.

They likely won’t be sucked into a relegation battle, being 10 points clear. But they can probably now forget about promotion via the play-offs, as they’re 11 points off sixth.

Paul Heckingbottom made no secret of the fact he wanted Armstrong back at Preston after January.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
10	WatfordWatford	37	13	13	11	47	45	2	52
11	SwanseaSwansea	38	15	7	16	44	46	-2	52
12	NorwichNorwich	37	15	6	16	51	45	6	51
13	Stoke CityStoke City	38	14	9	15	45	40	5	51
14	Bristol CityBristol City	38	14	9	15	49	49	0	51
15	Sheffield UtdSheffield Utd	38	15	5	18	53	52	1	50
16	QPRQPR	38	14	8	16	49	60	-11	50
17	PrestonPreston	38	12	13	13	42	48	-6	49
18	CharltonCharlton	38	12	12	14	36	45	-9	48
19	BlackburnBlackburn	38	11	9	18	36	49	-13	42
20	PortsmouthPortsmouth	37	10	10	17	36	48	-12	40
21	West BromWest Brom	38	10	10	18	39	54	-15	40
22	Oxford UnitedOxford United	38	9	12	17	36	49	-13	39
23	LeicesterLeicester	38	11	11	16	51	60	-9	38
24	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	38	1	9	28	23	76	-53	-6

But the youngster was retained by his parent club, and Moyes has regularly hailed him for his impact, and the way he takes on information for one so young.

Since coming back to Everton, Armstrong has featured 11 times, and at one point started five Premier League games in a row. He’s played out wide at times, but he’ll undoubtedly have learned a huge amount playing in the top-flight.

Preston’s loss is most definitely Everton’s gain, and the minutes he’s getting right now will set him up nicely for next season, which should be his first full one for the Toffees.