AS Sean Gregan prepares to make his Premiership debut against Manchester United at the so-called theatre of dreams, his ex-team mates at Preston will be going in search of three points at Rotherham.

And while the ties -- West Brom v Manchester United and Rotherham v PNE -- may seem light years apart, early form in Division One suggests Preston face just an equally tricky task at Millmoor.

A 6-0 thumping of Millwall last Saturday followed by a midweek draw against Norwich have made the Yorkshire side the surprise package of the season so far.

And Preston could yet give a welcome to another new signing before Saturday comes.

North End have agreed terms with winger Eddie Lewis' club Fulham -- but are now haggling over personal terms for the USA World Cup star.

He is one that Brown tracked while punditing for BBC Radio Five Live over in Japan and Korea, and a player he would dearly love to have in his side.

But Brown said: "The stumbling block is his terms at the moment.

"We have a wage structure at this club and I can't bust it."

Lewis may decide to sign on if he is told by Fulham that his first team chances this season are to be as restricted as last year.

Another transfer rumbling on is that of Tyrone Mears, the young defender Preston signed from Manchester City in the close season.

North End and City have been unable to agree a fee for the player, who is currently injured, and the figure will be decided by tribunal panel on Thursday.

Brown said: "City want a lot more for him than we think we should pay but we will have to see."

The Preston boss also believes his side's disappointing start could prove to be the team's freak result of the season, and that his new system will see the Deepdale outfit through.

He said: "I thought we deserved something against Palace.

"We took the game to them and I think the players had a very good game.

"I think that might be our freak result of the season. I hope so."

Meanwhile former North End boss David Moyes is seeking to get PNE physio Mick Rathbone to join him at Everton.

Presson's board, however, are determined to keep Rathbone at Deepdale and may seek compensation from the Merseyside club if he did go similar to the 'transfer fee' they received for Moyes.