DAVID Moyes' bravehearts have travelled north of the border to continue their gruelling programme of pre-season training.

Following last week's mind-blowing four games in four days, PNE's trip to Scotland will prove to be a little light relief, with just two games pencilled in for this week - against Partick Thistle and Dunfermline.

The break away from Preston will enable Moyes' boys to get away from increasing speculation about possible incoming transfers - not least that of midfielder Rob Edwards, who has made encouraging appearances during last week's pre-season warm-ups.

He is still training with Preston but as each day passes, it becomes increasingly unlikely that Edwards will sign, especially since Moyes announced that a new midfielder is not his top priority.

But that hasn't stopped the speculation. The latest name to be linked to Deepdale is that of midfielder Steve Robinson, who plays for Birmingham City - the same club Nicky Forster was supposed to come from.

Robinson has struggled to make an impact at St Andrew's Park, and is normally drafted in to cover for injury or suspension.

Why the pacy man's name is being linked is unclear, especially seeing as he is under contract, so would cost quite a bit.

Inevitably, following the collapse of Michael Branch's Portsmouth move, the Everton striker is again being linked to Preston.

Branch scuppered his south coast move because he was unhappy with personal terms.

He is another player who struggles for first team action, but Preston have now adopted a 'silence is best' policy after their fingers were burnt by announcing the Forster deal too early.

And Wayne Allison, Huddersfield's want-away player, probably won't be coming to Deepdale either. According to sources, the player's personal terms proved to be too much of a stumbling block.

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