PRESTON could be about to get a dose of Super Mario if Craig Brown decides to splash the cash again.

And the long-running "will he, won't he" Gareth Ainsworth saga could be resolved tomorrow when the winger meets the North End board to see if a deal can be thrashed out.

In the meantime, a diminutive Brazilian/French winger who shares the same name as the computer game character is being eyed up by North End as the build up to the new season gathers pace.

Mario, currently based in France, is a left-sided player who has spent the week training with North End after scouts heard about him while putting out feelers on the continent.

But while Craig Brown has confirmed he is looking at the player, he has said he will have to be very good if he is to warrant a contract at Deepdale.

On the contract front, things are set to come to a head with two of last season's loan players.

Gareth Ainsworth, the popular loan signing of last season, has been offered a deal, but would have to take a pay cut to move permanently to Deepdale.

Ainsworth is reported to be close to signing a permanent deal with his old club Wimbledon.

Ainsworth and his agent, Dad Bill, will meet the North End board tomorrow to see if a deal can be signed.

In the meantime, North End continue to prepare for the new season.

Two wins in pre-season friendlies against Bamber Bridge and Burscough have given Brown the chance to see his squad in action.

This weekend, they head north to Carlisle for another game which will be played behind closed doors before participating in the annual round of matches in Scotland.

No injuries have been sustained so far and there is good news on Dickson Etuhu.

The ex-Manchester City player is finally getting over his tendonitis and is confident of some action in Scotland.

He said: "The injury is not exactly so bad. It's just like a little niggling pain that doesn't want to go away, but it has got a lot better. I'm going up to Scotland with the team and hopefully I can play 20 minutes or so."

Another player in the squad for Scotland is Sean Gregan. After weeks of bickering between Preston and West Brom over the ethics of the Baggies move for Gregan, the Midlands outfit have finally backed off.

They are believed to have given up the chase after a deal of around £1.5million was rejected.

CRAIG Brown is to attend a Meet the Fans Night' at St Gregory's Club, Preston on Monday, August 5, starting at 8pm.