Ched Evans joins Championship side Preston on loan after acrimonious exit from Fleetwood following his row with Joey Barton that led to the manager's exit

• Preston have completed the loan signing of forward Ched Evans from Fleetwood
• The 32-year-old Wales striker was embroiled in a bust-up with Joey Barton
• Both have now left the club with Barton departing Highbury Stadium this week
• Evans scored 37 goals in 99 appearances for Fleetwood since joining the club 

Preston have completed the loan signing of forward Ched Evans from Fleetwood for the rest of the season.

The 32-year-old Wales striker was embroiled in a dressing room bust-up with former Fleetwood boss Joey Barton, who left the League One club on Monday.

As revealed by Sportsmail, Barton took exception to a comedy skit performed by Evans at a team meeting and the pair got into a heated row following last month's 1-0 defeat at Swindon Town. 

Barton later declared that Evans had no future at Fleetwood and the 32-year-old was suspended. But it was Barton who got the boot this week after two-and-a-half years in charge and Evans has also now moved on.

He scored 37 goals in 99 appearances for Fleetwood since joining the club, initially on loan from the Blades during 2018. 

Preston boss Alex Neil feels Evans will give his side an extra dimension as they look to push towards the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

'He will add competition at the top end of the pitch,' Neil said on the club's official website.

'Ched is very physical; he wants to look after the ball, take it into his feet and get you up the pitch and equally score goals. 

'He will be really excited about getting an opportunity in the Championship.

'Ched is an experienced player; he is a good lad - I have spoken to him at length and his character as much as anything else will be important for the team.'

Evans will have to wait for his Preston debut, as the striker is not eligible for the FA Cup third-round tie at Wycombe.

'I am really excited for the next six months, getting back to the Championship is brilliant,' Evans said. 'I'm really pleased for the opportunity.

'Preston North End is a club in a great position at the moment to kick on for the rest of the season.'