RICARDO Fuller has shown the clearest sign yet he'll be fit for the new season.

The Jamaican international has begun sprinting under the watchful eye of North End's physio... an indicator that he has fully recovered from the knee injury which blighted him last season.

Now the focus of attention has turned to his fellow striker Richard Cresswell, who has gone under the knife to sort out his hernia problem which had niggled him towards the end of last season.

Boss Craig Brown is hopeful both players will be fit for pre-season training, which begins in July ahead of a hectic programme of friendly games before the big Division One kick-off.

One player who looks increasingly likely not to be part of the Deepdale set-up come the start of the new season is youngster Michael Keane.

Relegated Grimsby have begun talks with Preston North End with a view to taking the Irish under-21 player to Blundell Park.

Craig Brown has indicated he is prepared to let the 20-year-old go.

Brown is under no pressure to sell but does feel the need to trim his squad somewhat so he has funds should the right player become available.

At the moment, Keane is behind Dickson Etuhu, Brian O'Neil, Eric Skora and Paul McKenna for a starting place in the centre of midfield.

The only stumbling block would be cash -- Grimsby are strapped having dropped to the Second Division but they are hoping that Preston will be helpful.

Several players are available from Deepdale this season. Tepi Moilanen was finding out this week if he was going to be kept on at Hearts, where he has had a successful loan spell.

Mark Rankine, who has suffered play-off heartache twice in three years after being in the Sheffield Utd side which lost to Wolves on Monday, is also waiting to see if the Yorkshire side want to keep him on.

Iain Anderson is also thought to be surplus to first-team requirements.