Irvine offers Nugent lifeline

Nugent: Has struggled in top-flight

Preston boss Alan Irvine has admitted that he would be interested in bringing David Nugent back to the club on loan.

The striker has endured a torrid time at Portsmouth since completing a £6million switch in the summer, starting just four games in the Premier League and scoring only three goals in all competitions.

As a result there were rumours during the recent transfer window that he could be set for a return to Deepdale but with Pompey boss Harry Redknapp ruling out the possibility of a permanent switch, Lilywhites' manager Irvine is now hoping that a loan deal may be a more realistic option.

Top quality

"There was a bit of speculation linking us with David in January and Harry responded by saying that Portsmouth would hardly allow him to come back to us so soon after spending £6million to get him," Irvine said in the Daily Express.

"David is Harry's player, so I am not in the business of trying to stir anything up between the two clubs.

"But if Harry were to ask me whether I fancied taking David back on loan, then that would be a different matter.

"David is a top quality goalscorer, but the step up from the Championship to the Premiership can be a big one."