FOLLOWING the shock departure of midfielder Michael Keane to Hull City, North End manager Craig Brown insists he knows who he wants to have in his squad by the time pre-season training gets under way in just over a month's time.

The Ireland under-21 international made over 50 league appearances in just under four years at North End but he struggled to hold down a regular first team place season.

Although the 21-year-old is stepping down a division in moving to newly promoted Hull City, Keane may regard it as a good long term decision.

The Tigers are managed by the highly regarded former England Under-21 boss Peter Taylor and it is believed the club may have the potential to make it to the Premiership.

His departure leaves Craig Brown with more work to do to strengthen the squad before the new season and he has sat down with his coaching and scouting team to work out which players from either at home or abroad could fit the bill.

It's no secret that Brown would like more defensive cover, a situation he now has to tackle after releasing Rob Edwards and losing Michael Jackson after the 30-year-old refused a 'less-pay, limited-play' contract put on the table by the manager.

But North End are remaining tight-lipped as to whether they will be in the chase for Callum Davidson, the former Blackburn Rovers defender who helped Leicester to promotion.

He is apparently being chased by Coventry City and Leeds United.

And it is the presence of teams like Leeds - fresh from the Premiership - that makes Brown certain he needs to bring in new faces.

He said: "We were conceding too many goals too easily towards the end of last season and if we are to be there or thereabouts at the top of the table next season that has to stop.

"I have spoken with the coaches and the scouts and we know the sort of players we are after and the sort of people we should be going for.

"Things are in motion but we won't be saying who until we know if they are coming."

Brown's success in the transfer market and his ability to spot gems -- Ricardo Fuller, Claude Davis and Eddie Lewis for example -- has meant that no sooner has a player been linked to Deepdale, than other clubs are after him.

The manager also fancies a new striker as well as a wide player but is conscious of the fact that there are players at Deepdale desperate to prove how good they are.

Eric Skora will return from a loan spell in Scotland to add competition to the midfield, while Brown is confident Richard Cresswell will fly up front next term, despite only bagging three goals last season.

Brown has indicated he is prepared to drop his three-at-the-front selection away from home to provide extra cover at the back, but intends to stick with his three centre-backs rather than revert to the 4-4-2 system many North End fans prefer.