CAPTAIN confident Sean Gregan believes Preston North End have what it takes to be in the promotion frame come May next year.

But the midfielder says the team has more important things on its mind at the moment - like making sure they don't concede an early goal again.

Saturday's 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace (November 24) started off in an all too familiar fashion, with North End going a goal down early in the match, despite being totally in control.

It was the fifth time in six games such a thing has happened. But perhaps more importantly in all of those games, North End have gone on to pick up at least a point.

And while nobody could be disappointed with Saturday's performance, Gregan, himself one of the most improved players on the pitch, knows where the team can improve and is calling on PNE to finish teams off early.

He said: "It's happened the last four games I think, but we've always managed to get back into the games, which is a good sign.

"I think if we take the lead in a game we won't get caught so it was nice that we went on, got the two goals and put on a good performance at home, which we haven't done the last few weeks.

"In the past we have gone one up and then pushed for the second and been caught out as a result.

"But I think we are playing better and it is all credit to the lads that when we have gone down a goal we have fought back to get at least a point from the match.

"We don't want to keep going behind though."

He added: "We are continuing to pick up the points and I think had we won against Bradford we would have been in a better position than this time last year, which is good seeing the poor start we had.

"But it really takes off after Christmas and we need to make sure we are at the top then, still taking the points.

"I think we can do it.

"We need to keep everyone free from injury and suspension and if we do that there is no reason we can't be in that pack come the end of the season."

This weekend, North End make the short trip to play Sheffield United, a team they beat 3-0 little more than a month ago at Deepdale.

But many eyes are already focused on the game after that, the Lancashire derby against Burnley on December 9.

With the threat of a players' strike now lifted, the game will be played in

front of the cameras and, in theory, should be the match of the weekend.

As with this weekend's game, Moyes' big headache comes up front - on who to pick.

Richard Cresswell, who scored once and set up the penalty on Saturday, now has six goals under his belt, the same as Jon Macken, who is due to return from injury.

And with David Healy still looking lively, Moyes will have to either pick

three up front or ditch one of his high-scoring trio.

Cresswell is determined he will make the starting eleven.

He said: "I am getting fitter and I am starting at the moment and I want it to stay that way.

"It is good to be getting goals but it is the team's performance which is important."