CHRIS Lucketti will lead Preston North End in their charge for promotion when the new season kicks off, boss Craig Brown confirmed this week.

Centre-back Lucketti took on the captain's armband at the start of last season following Sean Gregan's move to West Brom, a team just promoted to the Premiership.

And Brown, who repeatedly praised Lucketti's professionalism throughout last season, said he had no doubts that Lucketti would do just as good a job this season.

Brown said: "Chris did fantastically well for us in that role last season.

"He is a natural leader because his attitude both on and off the field commands respect from the players. I like to think he also has respect from the fans."

Lucketti, whose former clubs include Bury and Huddersfield, signed for North End in August 2001 and has more than 90 games to his name for PNE.

The 32-year-old was named Player of the Year by every fans' group associated with North End, and Brown has said in the past that his skipper is good enough to play in the Premiership.

Details of who will be captain were released at the same time as the North End squad numbers were announced.

Unlike previous years, there are no changes to the numbers from last season, which in itself is a surprise. This means Lucketti remains at number 20, Richard Cresswell stays at 25 and new signing Jonathan Gould is number 40.

The players returned for training after a 10-week break yesterday. All are said to be fit, including the mystery trio who were enrolled on extra training because they had not kept in perfect shape over the summer.

The only player missing is Eddie Lewis, who continues his international duty with the USA and may even miss the final pre-season game against Everton on August 2.

Ricardo Fuller has jetted back in from Jamaica and is still on course to be fit for the new season, while George Koumantarakis has signed with North End for another year. The South African international striker, who has Champions League football under his belt, agreed a deal last Friday.