Super Kevin Nicholls has left Deepdale with his head held high according to former boss Alan Irvine.

Nicholls, 29, who rejoined the Hatters this week and has been instantly re-installed as captain, endured an unsuccessful 18 months in Preston, where he started just 18 games last season and was plagued by injury and loss of form.

North End paid Leeds United £750,000 for his services, but Irvine has no hard feelings.

He said: "Kevin knew it was probably time to move on and he was a bit unfortunate in some respects. He has been a very good professional and he has not caused any problems whatsoever. We wish him well."
Nicholls, who spoke of his delight at rejoining the Hatters in our sister papers The Luton News and The Dunstable Gazette, had been Preston's skipper.

Irvine said: "When I took over he was Preston's captain, but having a few problems with his own form.

"He came to see me and asked to give the captaincy to somebody else.
"I did that, but it was a brave decision by Kevin.

"It takes a lot of courage to come out and say something like that. Then he got injured and unfortunately for him we moved on.

"He had a couple of new injuries this year, and then he missed the whole of pre-season."

Nicholls believes his injuries have been over-stated and whatever problems he did have are now behind him.

Town midfielder Matthew Spring, meanwhile, has joined Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United on a one-year loan and is hoping it will become a permanent move.

The 28-year-old said: "My future is still a bit up in the air because I'm here only on a temporary basis.

"Hopefully if I do well then that won't be the case and we can get something sorted."