Preston boss Alan Irvine admits Sean St Ledger's future remains unclear following his return to Deepdale.
The Republic of Ireland international had looked set to complete a permanent switch to Middlesbrough following his recent loan spell at the Riverside Stadium. However, that prospect looks in severe doubt after he came back to Preston and played in Monday's 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Irvine said: "Sean is a lad who is very happy at our club and he is a really good player. I don't know what is going to happen come January 1. It's not safe to assume the Middlesbrough deal is off. Sean has come back to us, so that complicates the issue as far as going to Middlesbrough is concerned. But they are still in a position where it is their decision what happens."
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