Alex Neil responds when asked about David Nugent’s Preston move

Preston continued their pre-season preparations on Tuesday evening, beating Chorley 2-0 at Victory Park.

North End were pretty dreadful for an hour, but substitutes Alan Browne and Graham Burke scored to grab the win.

The preparations take a real step up on Saturday, as North End host Southampton at Deepdale. Maybe, just maybe, that’s the day David Nugent is presented.

Nugent is set to return to North End on a free transfer, having left Derby County this summer. The 34-year-old left Preston for Portsmouth 12 years ago, but is now set for a shock comeback.

Nugent was spotted watching North End at Fylde on Saturday, sitting with Trevor Hemmings. That seemed to be a clear giveaway that Nugent was coming ‘home’ – but no deal has been confirmed yet.

After the win at Chorley last night, Neil was asked about the situation. Unsurprisingly, his answer was somewhat comical, even tongue-in-cheek.

Neil told Lancs Live that he wouldn’t discuss speculation, as is often the case. He did then add that Nugent was probably just watching the game as a Preston fan more than anything else.

“We don’t talk about speculation, he was probably there (at Fylde) as a Preston fan as much as anything else,” said Neil.

Neil, much like all Preston fans, knows that Nugent’s return will be confirmed soon. At least he’s having a little fun with this saga, which is going on a little longer than many would have expected.