Foreign pair head for PNE trial

Preston have handed trials to Georges Ba and Richard Knopper.

Preston have handed trials to Troyes forward Georges Ba and Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Richard Knopper.

Ivory Coast born Ba and Dutchman Knopper are expected to remain at Deepdale until Thursday, and Paul Simpson will use the opportunity to run the rule over the players ahead of a possible transfer deadline day swoop.

26-year-old Ba was a free transfer signing last summer, but has not played any part in Troyes' first four matches of the new season.

Knopper came to the fore in two seasons at Ajax, where he won the Marco van Basten award for Ajax Talent of the Year in the 1998/99 season.

Both players are expected to feature in Wednesday's friendly against Liverpool, and will hope to impress sufficiently to earn a move to The Championship.

Meanwhile, Troyes are set to seal a deal for Marseille full back Demetrius Ferreira.

The 32-year-old Brazilian has been deemed surplus to requirements at Stade Velodrome and officials are now close to concurring on a permanent transfer.

Ferreira is expected to be officially unveiled in a press conference on Wednesday.