GOAL hero Richard Cresswell has kept North End's promotion push on track this week - and he believes Preston have what it takes to go all the way to the Premiership.

North End's top scorer put Preston into the lead against Wolves at the weekend and secured a point away at Sheffield United with a winder strike on Tuesday.

He's now confident Preston can keep hold of a high league position and make the play-offs.

And for Cresswell, the chance of returning to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium would give him the opportunity to wipe out memories of North End's last appearance there.

Back in 2001, Cresswell was only on a loan deal at Preston, and signed a longer-term contract that summer.

He said: "I think we've got a bigger and a bit better squad than we had this time last year and hopefully we can go one better than that squad did four years ago.

"Four years ago it was a squad effort which took us to the play-off final, and it is going to take that again.

"We have some new players which means the squad is stronger."

Last January, we were fifth but we got injuries and suspensions and fell away but this year there is more competition and there is more confidence through the squad."

North End have only lost once in the last 15 games, and taken 32 points from a possible 45 since Christmas.

And this week boss Billy Davies has taken action to ensure the squad doesn't suffer while Dickson Etuhu sits out his four match ban, which started on Tuesday.

He has brought in French under-21 midfielder Yoann Folly on a month's loan from Southampton.

The former St Etienne player has failed to make an impact in the Premiership since arriving in 2003 but will feature in North End's games over the coming weeks.

North End's fine form has been noticed north of the border - with midfield general Brian O'Neil securing his first international call-up in four years.

Walter Smith has called him up for their World Cup qualifier against Italy.

Striker Andy Smith is in Northern Irelands squad to face England, while Eddie Lewis has also been called up for international duty.