CONFIDENCE is high in the North End camp before the opening of the league campaign at Gillingham on Saturday -- despite a 5-0 hammering by Leeds United.

David O'Leary's team put in a blistering display of top class football at Deepdale on Tuesday night with the outstanding Harry Kewell running the Preston defence ragged.

Although Preston kept the score down to just 1-0 at half time with a goal from Viduka, the European Champions League semi-finalists turned on the style adding four more in the second with Bowyer, Kewell, Harte and Dacourt getting on the scoresheet.

But manager David Moyes remained upbeat after the match saying he was pleased with the overall performance of the team against a full strength Leeds outfit.

He singled out youngster Micheal Keane for praise. The 18-year-old, who has yet to complete his youth scholarship scheme at the club, played a roaming role in midfield.

Pawel Abbott also impressed when he came on for the last 20 minutes.

Of more concern to Moyes was an injury to Kevin Gallagher which forced him to miss the match.

Moyes was hoping to get a good look at the Scottish forward with a view to signing him, but he should be able to play in the reserve match at Port Vale next week.

He had been training with the first team and the forward is a free agent after his release by Premiership team Newcastle United.

"We might have more news on a possible signing soon," said Moyes.

"Kevin is a player with a lot of experience at the highest level and he is a player who hoped to be a part of Scotland's World Cup plans. Players who have a goal like that always tend to be hungry for success, just look at Gary McAllister. We'll make a decision on Kevin shortly."

Moyes insisted preparations for the new season were going well despite poor pre-season results: "You can say the players are in great condition and everything is fine, but it doesn't mean anything until 3pm on Saturday afternoon, that's when you find out how your preparations have gone and if everything is okay."

And fans will not need reminding that Preston lost by a similar scoreline to Everton before the start of the season.

Graham Alexander is not expected to make Saturday's match and a close eye will be ket on Paul McKenna who is also felling a bit of stiffness in his hernia, where he had the operation in the summer.