INJURY-prone defender Gary Parkinson has given PNE a massive boost with the news he won't be out until next February.

The Citizen can reveal that the former Burnley player, who suffered continued problems with his knee last season, hopes to be back in action by this September - just weeks after the new Division Two campaign begins.

The 31-year-old underwent surgery in London to rebuild his knee in April and is still receiving treatment from PNE physio Mick Rathbone while the rest of his team mates begin their summer break.

While walking around Deepdale this week, the jolly £50,000 signing proudly sported the four inch scar he now has on his knee following the surgery.

A source at the club confirmed Gary's steady progress, which, fingers crossed, will see Parky lining up in the back four by the end of the first month of action.

After Parky's original injury back in April, manager David Moyes confirmed fears that the player could be out for 10 months - which would have taken Parkinson through to next February before he plays again.

Lee Cartwright suffered a similar knee problem last year - and that kept him out for a year.

But Parky's progress isn't the only news seeping from Deepdale this week.

The close season changes have already begun with the announcement of David Moyes' retained list which contained no major surprises.

Mark Winstanley and Paul McGregor, both signed on short term contracts on deadline day, were the first out of the door after Moyes decided their services were no longer required.

McGregor looks set to move to Third Division side Carlisle, a team he has completed a loan spell with.

Moyes said: "I wish to thank both Mark Winstanley and Paul McGregor for their efforts during the end of season run-in.

"They were aware that I had them in as cover until the end of the season and it will not come as a surprise that I have decided to release them."

Meanwhile, contractual talks are taking place to keep injury-prone Simon Davey and utility player Julian Darby at Deepdale. Both players have only had a limited number of starts this season and both are out of contract this summer.

Club bosses hope to keep the two at the club, probably in some sort of coaching capacity. Darby is likely to retain his player registration so he can be drafted in as a substitute as and when needed.

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