Preston North End are closing in on a second loan deal for Tom Cannon.

The striker is nearing a move back to Deepdale on a season-long loan after spending the second half of the previous campaign with the Lilywhites, according to The Northern Echo.

Cannon joined Everton’s academy back in 2012 and made his senior debut for the club in the Carabao Cup defeat to Bournemouth in November, before making his first appearance in the Premier League four days later.

However, the 20-year-old failed to force his way into the first team picture and was sent to Preston in January.

Cannon was sensational for the Championship club, netting eight goals in 20 matches. The forward was applauded after bagging his sixth goal in as many games in April, with former striker Dean Ashton claiming his record for the Lilywhites was ‘incredible’.

Cannon had attracted plenty of interest this summer following his successful stint at Deepdale, with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland also linked with a move.

However, the report claims that he is now set to return to Preston for a second spell in the Championship after he was left out of the Toffees’ friendlies against Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.

The youngster was instead spotted attending Preston’s pre-season clash with Aberdeen, with Ryan Lowe saying: “Everyone knows how we feel about TC and he knows, but ultimately he’s Everton player. When we are given the nod – if we are – to be able to do something, then we’ll obviously look to do it.”

Preston North End should be made to wait before they re-sign Tom Cannon

Sending Tom Cannon back to Preston North End is the logical decision given his previous success with the club. However, Everton certainly shouldn’t rush into sending him back.

It wasn’t that long ago that the striker looked set to replace Ellis Simms in the Toffees’ first team squad, while he still remains as one of only three out-and-out strikers at Goodison Park.

With Neal Maupay also looking likely to leave Merseyside, Everton need to be careful in letting Cannon leave before they bring in a replacement.