FEARS are growing that Sean Gregan, Preston's sensational skipper, may not be fit for the start of the season.

Sources within Deepdale say there are growing concerns that Gregan, one of the most influential and admired players at North End, will not have recovered from his back injury in time for the start of the Division One campaign.

The players are currently away on their summer breaks so no official diagnosis of Gregan's injury is available, and club chiefs are keen to keep any injuries under wraps.

Gregan's season effectively finished in April when North End played Wigan. A knock to the back damaged a small bone which has caused him considerable pain since.

It's a rare injury but, although the club have not set a return date, they were confident he would make next season's opening.

If Gregan misses the start it would be a massive blow to North End who, realistically, need as many players as possible fit and ready to push for honours.

They need class players and that's one reason why North End can expect a heavy phone bill for the month as David Moyes is said to be "constantly talking to managers" about possible targets.

The main stumbling block seems to be money, with Moyes very keen to ensure he gets good value from every player he buys.

A price tag of £1.5 million has been slapped on the head of Birmingham striker Dele Adebola, one of Moyes' supposed top targets.

Moyes has already vented his rage at sky-high prices being asked for players, and £1.5 million is bound to make Moyes see red.

But finding a summer deal will be tricky, especially as other clubs now know North End have cash sloshing around, with more on the way thanks to the new share issue.

Moyes is on holiday this week, and deputy chairman Derek Shaw said: "David has spoken to an awful lot of players recently and a lot of managers, so much so that I can't keep up with him some of the time.

"No fee has been agreed for Adebola because David hasn't been to the board about him."

The rumours continue to persist about North End and Ben Thornley, despite Huddersfield boss Steve Bruce insisting he was not for sale.

But the most fanciful rumour of late has to be the one concerning out-of-favour Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand.

The injury-prone England striker is said to be on his way to Deepdale.

In theory, such a move isn't that unrealistic, considering North End's new-found Division One status.

But wages are bound to be a massive issue with the club, which has a strict pay structure.

The rumour, it seems, stems from the fact that Ferdinand has a deal with Joe Bloggs, the firm now making North End's kit.

Anything goes in football -- who'd have thought Ian Wright would don a Clarets shirt?