Ipswich Town are said to be among three League One clubs interested in signing Preston North End centre-back Jordan Storey this month.

Storey came through the youth ranks at Exeter before moving to Deepdale for what was described as a 'significant undisclosed fee' in 2018.

The 24-year-old has made 88 starts for the Lilywhites, including 18 this season, but hasn't featured since Ryan Lowe took charge as manager in early December.

The Lancashire Post reports that Ipswich, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday have all enquired about taking the 6ft 2in defender on loan, but that 'as yet, no offer which covers a suitable portion of his wages has been made'.

Storey signed a three-year contract extension back in September.

Town sold Toto Nsiala to Fleetwood last week, meaning George Edmundson, Luke Woolfenden, Janoi Donacien and Cameron Burgess are the only four senior centre-backs remaining at a club who have deployed a back three for the last four games.

Speaking after Saturday's 2-0 loss at Bolton, Blues boss Kieran McKenna said: "It’s a position, in terms of profile and qualities, where we might look to add something in the next couple of weeks possibly.”

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson is looking to bolster his back line after Frederik Alves loan spell from West Ham was recently cut short.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore also needs defensive reinforcements given Chey Dunkley faces a spell out injured.