Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor believes current Bolton Wanderers loanee Conor Bradley is ready to step up to the Championship amid transfer links to Preston North End as he admits he was surprised the defender went out on loan to League One.
Bradley has been one of the stars of the season for the Whites since arriving in the summer from the Premier League club. He has cemented his place in Ian Evatt's starting team at right wing-back and scored four goals in all comeptitions.
Links have emerged ahead of the January transfer window suggesting Championship side Preston, and even Wolves, might be looking at Bradley as a potential target. Right wing-back is an area North End need reinforcements in and boss Ryan Lowe went to watch Wanderers a few weeks ago and the links with the Northern Ireland international soon followed.
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However, Wanderers have insisted all the communication they have had with the Anfield club is that Bradley will be at Bolton for the season and reports have suggested Liverpool are happy with the situation.
Evatt expects Bradley to continue at Wanderers for the season, stating the messages from Jurgen Klopp's side has been consistent throughout. The player himself is also enjoying his time at the club, though the Bolton boss acknowledges the ball is ultimately in Liverpool's court.
Former Liverpool striker Mellor is a fan of Bradley and admits he is surprised the defender ended up going to League One in his first loan spell away from Anfield. He believes he would fit in well at Deepdale and is ready to test himself in the Championship, but admits it might not be the case in January.
"I like Conor, I really like Conor," Mellor told our colleagues at LancsLive. "I am surprised he went to League One actually, because I thought he was better than that at this stage of his development. He has grown as a player at Bolton, got that game time and stood out at right wing-back. That's an area Preston definitely need (to strengthen).
"I don't know what is in his contract with Bolton and Liverpool - whether he could get a move in January or not - but I think he is ready to step up and test himself in the Championship. He's a player who has pace, creativity and can make a difference.
"I don't know what's going to happen, because Bolton obviously won't want to lose him. And whether Liverpool would let him go to Preston, I don't know. He's a very good player and the sort who'd fit the style and help the Preston team."
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