MARLON Broomes has committed his future to North End, just days after being offered a new two-year deal by the Deepdale board.

But North End are still sweating on the future of Michael Jackson, who has been offered a new contract also but with a much smaller paypacket.

Club officials say the cut in salary is nothing to do with their opinion of stalwart Jackson, 30, but a reflection of the financial situation in football following the collapse of ITV Digital two years ago.

Despite hoping to keep both of his out-of-contract central defenders, Craig Brown is determined to bring in a fresh face to keep competition lively in the back row.

Broomes, 26, who has been at North End for two seasons, made 30 league appearances in the term just ended.

The North End number six said: "I,m glad it is all sorted now because it has been hanging over me a bit.

"You never know what is going to happen until the deal is done."

North End have been surprisingly public about their contract negotiations for existing players.

Broomes, offer was announced last Friday, shortly after they had confirmed striker George Koumantarkis was on his way after refusing a pay-per-play deal.

They have also spoken publicly about the need for players to take pay cuts - such as Jackson - while wishing all the best to released players Jeff Smith, Lee Briscoe and Rob Edwards.

They are refusing to be drawn, however, on who the targets for the summer are, even though talks are believed to have begun.

American international Lewis has been called up for his country this week. It will be the second summer on the bounce he had been involved in international action which runs straight into the start of the new season.

Ricardo Fuller hopes to be involved in international action for Jamaica after having an operation on his good, knee. His recovery is said to be going well and the operation, North End insist, was by no means as serious as the one which wrecked his season last year.

Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough are the highlight teams Preston will be facing in their pre-season campaign.

Their trip to Ibiza for a special cup competition is also among the training fixtures announced, along with a game against Blackpool.

The annual games against Chorley, Accrington Stanley and Bamber Bridge are in there, along with a trip to Doncaster Rovers.

FIXTURES:

Tuesday, July 13: Sheffield Wednesday (Ibiza)

Wednesday, July 14: 3rd/4th place play-off (Ibiza)

Or

Thursday, July 15: Ibiza Cup Final (Ibiza)

Saturday, July 17: Chorley (a)

Sunday, July 18: Bamber Bride (a)

Wednesday, July 21: Doncaster (a)

Thursday, July 22: Accrington Stanley (a)

Saturday, July 24: Middlesbrough (h)

Tuesday, July 27: Blackpool (a)

Wednesday, July 28: Morecambe (a)

Saturday, July 31: Blackburn Rovers (h)