No Preston return for Healy

Manager Graham Westley was approached by the 33-year-old who expressed an interest in togging out once again with the team he left behind eight years ago.

But the 33-year-old ruffled the feathers of Preston North End's devoted fans when, after his 2004 departure, he celebrated scoring against his old side shortly after signing for Leeds.

Westley cited bad feeling towards Healey by some supporters as the reasoning behind his decision.

Speaking on Preston North End's website, Westley said: "I have spoken to David to let him know that we are not going to proceed with that at this moment in time.

"It is a difficult one because David has so much proven quality but my feeling is that we've had a revolution at this club this summer."

Westley said that it had been "a difficult time" for the club, before adding that the fans had been "through a lot."

"There is a body of supporters who have a strong feeling against the move and I think it would be the wrong thing to do at this moment in time," he continued.

"We need the emotion of the Club to be moving in the right direction and although there is a lot of understanding that we'd want to bring that quality in, I really do think that everyone needs to know that decisions are being made for the right reasons at the Club and to make a move that is controversial at this moment in time is not the right thing to do."

Westley said the club needed to breed togetherness, show unity and make sure that the pride really does go back into wearing the Preston North End badge.

Healy is now without a club after leaving Rangers at the end of last season.