Alexander return will 'tug at heartstrings'

Former Preston goalkeeper and coach Alan Kelly says the club's appointment of new boss Graham Alexander and assistant Chris Lucketti is "a very wise choice".

The former North End team-mates have returned to Deepdale with the Lilywhites sat second-bottom of the Championship with four points from eight games, in the process leaving their roles at Bradford City, who are top of League One.

Alexander made more than 370 appearances across two spells with North End as a player, nearly 200 of them in the same side as his now assistant Lucketti.

Kelly told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's an excellent appointment. A very wise choice. I don't see it as a bad selection, it's only good news.

"They know what it's like to run out at Deepdale, they know what the crowd expect, what to give the supporters, if you understand that it gives you a head start and an advantage."

Kelly predicted Alexander will "want to get down to business" on the training pitch before his first game, at home to Millwall on 10 October - which will be his 55th birthday.

He added: "I'm sure when they walk out against Millwall the pride they'll have walking down that touchline, having been there as players, will shine out.

"Deepdale will rise to him, welcome back a former hero - two of them.

"When he walks out that tunnel for the first time to take that applause, I don't think he shows his emotions very easily, Graham, but I think he'll have a lump in the back of his throat.

"Thinking wow, all those years ago I made my debut as a player for Preston to now be walking out and leading the club, that has to tug at your heartstrings."