Grayson jumped at Beckford chance

Reporter: SIMON SMEDLEY
Date published: 25 November 2014


FORMER Leeds, Everton and Leicester City striker Jermaine Beckford could be thrown in for his Preston debut at SportsDirect.com Park tonight.

North End are currently flying high in third place in Sky Bet League One, but boss Simon Grayson pounced for Beckford on loan from Bolton.

Attentions now turn to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Athletic — the team that knocked them out of the competition last term at Deepdale — and Beckford looks likely to get his chance.

The North End boss said: “When you look at all teams who want to be top of any division, they need players who can damage the opposition. We got the option to bring in Jermaine last week. I’ve worked with him a couple of times before and I jumped at the chance.”

Londoner Beckford (30) began his career at Wealdstone, before joining Leeds in 2006.

Seventy-two goals in 126 appearances at Elland Road earned him a £3m move to Everton in 2010, but he switched to Leicester City after just over a season at Goodison Park.

Boss Grayson was delighted with his charges as they bounced back in style to beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday.