Irvine looking for final flourish

3:59pm Friday 25th April 2008

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Alan Irvine has urged his players to stay focused for the final two games of the season, despite Preston having already secured their Championship status.

"It's important that the players are in the right frame of mind to approach the game as they would any other.

"There is the opportunity for us to go into next season feeling good about ourselves." He said.

The Preston manager wants to avoid a repeat of the end to the 2006/2007 campaign. A poor finish to that season; North End lost six of their last eight games, was carried into the start of this term as Preston won just one of their first nine league games. Leaving the team fighting relegation.

"We want to finish the 2008 period of the season very well. It is a little difficult because the players know that deep down we are safe and the game doesn't mean anything in terms of our status as a championship club.

"We don't want to walk round the pitch at the end of the game not feeling good about ourselves; we are looking for a good performance and a good result."

Preston face Ipswich Town in their final home game of the season. Saturday's match is a crucial one for Jim Magilton's side who are still hopeful of making the play-offs, but will have to rely on those teams above them dropping points, as Ipswich are currently three points adrift of the top six.