Former Rovers coach Rob Kelly is taking a break from football due to “personal health issues”.

Kelly had a spell as first-team coach at Ewood Park while Paul Lambert was in charge during the 2015/16 campaign.

The 58-year-old returned to Deepdale to assist Ryan Lowe in the dugout over the summer as North End aim to build on last season’s 12th-place finish in the Championship.

An official statement read: “Preston North End recently announced the appointment of Rob Kelly to the football club's coaching staff.

“Unfortunately, Rob is currently experiencing some personal health issues which are preventing him continuing in his role at this time.

“We send our best wishes to Rob and his family for the coming weeks and we will be making no further comment on this matter unless or until it is appropriate.”

Kelly previous worked at Deepdale between 2007 and 2010 and served as caretaker manager at times.

Prior to that, he had a spell in charge at Leicester after stepping up from his role as assistant to Craig Levein.

Kelly also had stints at Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and West Brom before serving as Lowe’s assistant at Bury.

Rovers wrote on the club’s official Twitter page: “Everyone at Rovers sends our best wishes to our former coach Rob Kelly and his family.”

North End ran out 2-1 winners against Sunderland at the weekend thanks to goals from Will Keane and Mads Frokjaer either side of half time.

Speaking about Kelly’s appointment earlier this summer, Lowe said: “He’s got a wealth of experience and that’s going to be vitally important to both the staff and the players.

“I worked with Rob for a short period in my early managerial career and I’ve kept in contact with him ever since.

“He’s somebody who’s helped me get to where I am today, so to have the opportunity to work with him again is fantastic.

“I think it’s a big coup to be able to bring someone like Rob to Preston North End, where he’s worked before, and I’m looking forward to having him as part of the coaching staff.”