Alan Browne tips Preston to challenge for promotion

Cork native Alan Browne believes his Preston North End side are capable of figuring in the Championship promotion race after penning a new three-year contract with the club yesterday.

The latest deal – which ties Browne to North End until 2018 – is his third contract since moving cross-channel from Cork City 18 months ago.

Despite being frozen out by manager Simon Grayson for four months, the Ireland U21 midfielder was restored to the side for Preston’s two most important games of the season in May – the League One play-off semi-final and final.