PRESTON North End boss Paul Simpson watched his Championship side get comprehensively beaten by their Premiership opponents and tipped Blackburn Rovers to be a success this coming season.

Simpson, who is struggling to attract players to Deepdale, despite the record sale of striker David Nugent at the start of the summer, admitted the Lilywhites were taught a lesson in the last of their pre-season outings before the league campaign.

He said: "We have come up against a good side. Blackburn Rovers have shown that they've got real quality.

"Even when you look at the bench, their second side would still romp the Championship.

"We've been beaten 3-0 by a top Premiership side. But we've got to make sure we don't get screwed up by that.

"Sometimes you've got to hold your hands up and say you were beaten by a better side, and today, they were the better side."

But Simpson was confident the result would have no bearing on their build up to Saturday's opener against Norwich City, although he confessed he was looking to boost his squad with new signings or loan deals.

He said: "I'm pleased with the fitness levels of the players, that's not an issue. I'm not happy with the numbers we have. I'm still trying to bring players in and I'll keep doing that right up until the last minute."