PRESTON boss Billy Davies has promised more new faces at Deepdale following the arrival of Port Vale striker Dave Hibbert.

Under the new squad numbers announced this week Hibbert will take the number 21 shirt, the same number he wore at Port Vale.

Because he is under the age of 24, Port Vale can command a fee for him, and that is likely to be settled by a tribunal. They want around £350,000 for the 19-year-old.

He had a topsy-turvy season in League One last season, breaking into the first team before picking up a knee injury.

When he returned, he suffered a potentially serious head injury at MK Dons and he was airlifted to hospital with a suspected fractured skull.

He has an impressive goal-scoring rate of one per league game, and he's keen to repeat that record at Deepdale.

He said: "I can't wait to get started at Deepdale, and I am really thrilled to be here. Last season was a bit of a nightmare but I feel I have gone from strength to strength since injury." Of course, he may have to wait for a full start, given that Richard Cresswell and last season's star buy, Dave Nugent, have formed a powerful partnership up front.

North End chairman Derek Shaw said earlier this week that there were more players to come.

Now all eyes are on who North End will sign next, with Nottingham Forest winger Kris Commons once again being linked with a move to Deepdale.

He has previously dismissed a link with Commons, but interest could be sparked again following the departure of Eddie Lewis to Leeds United last week.

Lewis' move away from Deepdale might have been expected, but his comments about Preston once in the confines of debt-ridden Elland Road certainly were not.

Just a month ago, Lewis was speaking of his desire to keep playing at North End. That comment was made inside the Millennium Stadium following the play-off final defeat.

North End have been adamant their hopes to sign Lewis were scuppered only by money.

But Lewis, now at Leeds, a team who didn't even put any pressure on the play-off contenders last season, has suggested his new club are more ambitious.

Lewis, whose career in England seemed to be going nowhere until he was spotted playing in the 2002 World Cup by ex-boss North End Craig Brown, told reporters in Leeds he felt Kevin Blackwell's side were more committed to gaining promotion.

Given they have taken to signing up pretty much every available player this summer, anything other than promotion really isn't an option the Yorkshire side can consider.

Lewis added that he had noted Leeds' last away game was at North End, and he hoped to come back to Deepdale already heading to the Premiership.

It would appear such comments will guarante