DAVID Reeves is the best thing since sliced bread, as far as Preston North End manager Gary Peters is concerned.

Mind you, such admiration is not altogether uncommon for the Deepdale striker who re-established himself at Carlisle where he averaged almost a goal every two games.

Is it really nigh on nine years since Reeves, then a raw 20-year-old with Sheffield Wednesday, lit up Turf Moor in an 18-game loan spell that yielded nine goals?

Yes it is, though many Burnley fans at Deepdale for tonight's Second Division derby will still remember when he was leading their attack.

A veritable bundle of energy, Reeves scored on his first appearance for Burnley - in a win over Bolton - and also on his finale, as he bowed out by helping his temporary team to thrash Exeter 3-0.

But the hoped-for permanent signing of the striker failed to materialise, even though supporters wanted the "Golden Gate" to be used for his purchase at the time. So his career continued elsewhere, stuttering for a time before eventually blossoming.

After lingering at Hillsborough for a couple more years, playing only occasionally in the first team, Reeves moved on to Bolton and gave excellent service. He then stayed briefly and unsuccessfully at Notts County before re-emerging as a genuine force to help rejuvenate Carlisle United under the chairmanship of one Michael Knighton - that's right, the man who dreamed he would be king at Old Trafford.

It was from Carlisle, just a few short weeks ago, that Peters plucked the player he regards as a prized possession.

The Deepdale boss, not one for understating his case, describes Reeves simply as the "complete player".

Peters goes even further when he says: "I have never seen a striker work so hard, bar Alan Shearer perhaps.

"He's all over the park.

"Back defending, in midfield, attacking down both flanks and in the box when it matters most. He covers every blade of grass."

Peters' admiration for Reeves, who, according to regular North End watchers, has been head and shoulders above the rest in the four Second Division matches he has played for the club, knows no bounds.

He feels he's a great all-rounder, adding: "As a target man or on the deck, he can play both striking roles with equal comfort." And the manager was determined to have him to bolster his attack as Preston attempt to climb away from the danger zone only a matter of months after the champagne flowed and the heady heights of promotion were on the agenda at Deepdale.

So determined was he to get his man, Peters was willing to part not only with Allan Smart but also, towards the end of last week Andy Saville - two strikers to raise the price of one.

Smart was the makeweight in the deal with Carlisle, a club record for Preston who also handed over £185,000 cash in a transfer rated at £300,000.

The manager knew he had to make room on the wage bill to accommodate Reeves, so out went last season's idol of the terraces Saville, to Wigan for £125,000.

Ostensibly, it seemed something of a sacrifice, but Peters is well pleased by the outcome of his wheeling and dealing.

Reeves has only one goal, from those first four appearances with Preston. But management and fans are confident his form will be soon be reflected by a much more impressive goals return.

His arrival and the recovery of Steve Wilkinson and Gary Bennett from injury probably means that former Blackburn Rovers youngster Michael Holt will, at best, only be named as a substitute tonight.

Another ex-Ewood man, however, will be in the business of keeping the Burnley attack at bay.

Bobby Mimms has done a good job since signing for Peters after looking at various options.

But all eyes will be on Reeves who scored on his only previous home appearance for North End, some 10 days ago against Shrewsbury.

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