BRETT Ormerod is set to make his North End debut tomorrow night after completing a free-transfer move from Southampton.

Blackburn-born Ormerod, who began his career at home-town side Accrington, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with North End.

The 29-year-old was due to be unveiled to the media today, and Preston will be the sixth football club he has played for.

He said: "It's been a week of uncertainty for me but I'm glad to be here and I'm really looking forward to it.

"There have been a lot of changes at Southampton this season but it is a lot more stable here at Preston.

"We have got a good manager here and a good bunch of players and we are really pushing for it.

"I'm just glad to be on board and I hope I can help us make that final step."

North End have been searching for a new striker since last season's top-scorer Richard Cresswell defected to Leeds days before the start-of-season transfer window closed.

And Manager Billy Davies has declared Ormerod the man to fill Cresswell's boots.

Davies said: "It's great news, it's been a long, hard chases but to see him here and signed makes it all worth while.

"We all know what Brett is about, his work rate is superb as his attitude and he will add that different element to the team.

"Brett is very similar to Cressy, with his work rate and ability he has of chasing all day long and closing players down.

"He doesn't give defenders a minute and with him in the squad it gives us the option to rotate strikers and gives us another way to play."

Ormerod has made 20 appearance for the Saints this season, scoring two goals, taking his tally on the South Coast to 19 overall.

He moved there from Blackpool for £1.75million in December 2001, having signed for the Seasiders from Stanley in March 1997 for £50,000.

While at Southampton, he had loan spells at Leeds and Wigan.

He will be one of several changes to the squad which drew with Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Saturday. The two sides play in the league at Deepdale on Tuesday.

After Andy Johnson gave the visitors an early lead, returning midfielder Brian O'Neil headed North End level in the 27th minute.

North End had enough second-half chances to secure passage to the fifth round, but birthday boy Dave Hibbert, making his first start for North End, could not make them count.