Preston North End manager Graham Alexander has revealed that free agent midfielder Greg Docherty has been on trial at Deepdale this week, with the 30-year-old understood to be eager to join the Championship club on a permanent basis.

Mutual assessment under way

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Alexander was careful to frame the situation as a two-way process rather than a done deal. "It was just a case of him coming in having a look at us and us having a look at him, and we will see how it progresses," the Preston head coach said.

The fact that Docherty has been on the club's radar for some time suggests this is more than a casual arrangement, though Alexander stopped well short of confirming any agreement is close. According to the BBC report, the midfielder has been without a club since departing Charlton Athletic in the summer, with his last competitive appearance coming in a League Cup tie in August.

What Docherty would bring

Alexander was notably positive about what he has seen during the week's sessions. "He looks in good shape. He's been a captain, he's been a promotion winner, he's got a voice, he's got experience, he's still got hunger," the manager said.

Those qualities are precisely what Preston have appeared to need in recent weeks, particularly in central midfield, where Alexander has been reshaping the squad after a difficult start to the season. A player who has captained sides and experienced promotion campaigns at Championship and Scottish Premiership level, including spells at Hull City and Hamilton Academical, would add genuine leadership currency to a group that has been in transition.

Alexander also highlighted Docherty's own motivation: "He sees this as a top club at a great level, and he would love to be a part of it." That kind of buy-in from a free agent, who has no obligation to join and no transfer fee complicating matters, is an encouraging signal, even if nothing has been formalised.

Wiley also pushing for involvement

Separate to the Docherty situation, Alexander provided an update on left-back Caleb Wiley, the American who returned to the matchday squad as an unused substitute against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend after five matches on the sidelines. Wiley has now completed a full week of training ahead of Saturday's trip to Stoke City (12:30 GMT kick-off) and is expected to feature in the squad.

"It was good to have him on the bench, so it's great that he's trained the full week," Alexander said, adding that the club are still working out where Wiley fits best. "We are just trying to ascertain where his best position is for us and what his best attributes are for us and get him up to speed because he's missed a few of our first weeks."

What happens next

With the transfer window closed for permanent deals in most circumstances, any agreement with Docherty would be as a free agent, meaning Preston could register him outside of window restrictions. That flexibility makes the situation one to watch closely over the coming days. If Alexander's assessment of the week's training continues to be positive, a short-term or longer deal looks plausible, though as things stand no contract has been reported as agreed.

For a Preston side looking to find consistency in the Championship, adding an experienced, promotion-tested midfielder on a free could prove shrewd business, provided the player's match fitness, after months without a competitive appearance, can be restored quickly enough to make an immediate impact.

Frequently asked

Is Greg Docherty signing for Preston North End?
Greg Docherty has been training with Preston this week and manager Graham Alexander has confirmed the club have had him on their radar, but no deal has been reported as agreed yet. Alexander said both parties are assessing how things might progress.
Who is Greg Docherty and what clubs has he played for?
Greg Docherty is a 30-year-old central midfielder who has previously played for Hull City, Hamilton Academical and Charlton Athletic, among others. He has experience as a captain and has been part of promotion-winning squads during his career.
When is Preston North End's next Championship match?
Preston travel to Stoke City on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 GMT. Left-back Caleb Wiley is expected to be involved in the squad after completing a full week of training.