Luke Foster is tipping his former Preston North End team-mates to challenge for promotion from League One next season. The centre-back was released by PNE earlier in the month after coming to the end of his short-term contract. There are no hard feelings on Fosterâs part, with him glad to have had the chance to kick-start his career at Deepdale after a spell out of the game through injury. He began training with North End last October and played for a short time on non-contract terms. In January the 27-year-old signed a contract until the end of the season. Foster is among hundreds of players looking for a new club this summer, but feels his time with Preston will stand him in good stead in his job hunt. He told the Evening Post: âIâve got my fitness back and itâs been a good six or seven months. âIâm not on the crocks list anymore and I thank Preston for the chance they gave me. âThe gaffer and Glynn Snodin were sound with me and I enjoyed my time with them. âI knew my attitude had been good, and it was nice to hear that from them when we had a meeting at the end of the season. âTowards the end of the season I was getting on the bench and got on the pitch a couple of times. âWhen I met with the gaffer at the end of the season we had a good chat and basically it was a business decision that I wasnât getting a new contract. âThey canât give contracts out for fun and Preston already have four centre-halves on the books. âI understood that and it was just unfortunate that I was one of the only players out of contract. âI genuinely believe that the club will do well next season. âThe form they showed at the back end of the season, in particular the home form, is a good indicator to me. âThe gaffer has a good record of promotions in this league and theyâll definitely be up there.â Foster played eight times for North End, the last of those appearances being as a half-time substitute in the goalless draw at Sheffield United. He said: âIt was nice game to finish on, a bit of a shop window job I suppose. âMy last game could have been somewhere a bit less exciting with 5,000 people there, instead there was a 20,000 crowd. âItâs been a good few months and it all started when I went to watch Prestonâs game at Scunthorpe when Nicky Wroe scored his hat-trick. âI knew Graham Westley from Stevenage and he invited me to train with them as I was out of the game at the time. âIn the first couple of weeks I was way off the pace but I caught up quite quickly. âI thought I had some decent games, Hartlepool away on New Yearâs Day was one I really enjoyed. âHopefully I can get myself fixed up this summer, Iâve been in this boat enough times. âItâs a case of being patient and seeing what is out there. âThere have been a couple of good sniffs already but itâs early in the summer and clubs are just looking around at the moment.â
How do your fans think you'll do this year. I've got you down as a dark horse to win the league. Some great signings with the likes of Davies and your forward line has great strength and depth. Not too knowledgeable on your defence and midfield, but if you are solid and don't leak goals I like your chances.
FS, Defensively we are fairly strong(probably let in 5 tomorrow) midfield is workmanlike, up front Davies is an outstanding signing, need someone to lay off him, if Beavon gets fit will be interesting to se how teams cope with those two. Quietly optimistic, should finish close to top 6, possibly higher. Good manager, will bring in some good loanees as well. Hopefully should be a good season.
