PLANS to swoop for a new striker have been put on hold by Preston boss Craig Brown following the collapse of Ricardo Fuller's move to Portsmouth.

Brown has revealed the Deepdale board were poised to target an unidentified target -- but then want-away Jamaican striker's Premiership switch was halted after Fuller failed a medical.

That deal would have bolstered North End's transfer kitty allowing them to bring in replacements in time for the start of the new season.

But now Fuller is back at Deepdale, pending a trip to America to see a specialist to find out exactly what work needs doing on his knee.

He could be given the all-clear to start playing again but in the worst case scenario he would have to go under the knife. His last serious operation, on his other knee two years ago, ruled him out for half a season.

Brown said: "We were ready to make a move for someone but the situation with Ricardo has taken things off the rails. We are now playing a game of wait and see with Ricardo. He has told me he is happy to remain at North End, and a Ricardo Fuller playing with all his heart for the team is a real force to be reckoned with." The decision not to pursue a new striker is good news for some of the younger forwards at Deepdale -- particularly Simon Lynch and Joe O'Neill.

Both will be behind Richard Cresswell, David Healy and Fuller -- when fit -- but both have signalled they are prepared to work for a place.

O'Neill begins his first full season at Deepdale in the senior squad. He was promoted at the start of last season but sent on loan to Bury.

And Brown has offered his fringe players hope: "No player gets an automatic place in the starting team, they all have to be earned so there will be chances. It's about taking those chances when they come along."

North End play their final pre-season fixture this weekend, ahead of their opening day home fixture against Watford.

Blackburn Rovers are the visitors, and Brown will be able to field a stronger side than the one that stumbled 2-0 to Middlesbrough last weekend, thanks to an improving injury situation.

Paul McKenna was due to get his first run-out last night against Morecambe, while Alan McCormack's injury, picked up at the weekend, isn't as bad as first thought.