LANCASHIRE rivals Preston North End could be poised to make a spectacular swoop for Burnley defender Gary Parkinson, writes TONY DEWHURST.

I can exclusively reveal tonight that the Deepdale club had talks with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph player of the season at Deepdale yesterday.

And Clarets boss Adrian Heath is lining up a replacement if Parkinson decides to join Preston.

Heath confirmed: "I understand Gary has spoken to Preston North End and there is another club interested as well."

Burnley's right wing-back has the offer of a two-year deal on the table at Turf Moor. But he has spent the last 12 months on a week-to-week contract at Turf Moor and I understand the player was unhappy with that.

Now it is believed Preston could be ready to offer Parkinson a three-year deal if further transfer talks prove productive.

"Ultimately the decision will be Gary's. If Preston offer him the security of three years then, at 28, I would expect him to accept the offer," added Heath.

"I have already got somebody lined up to take his place if he decides to leave.

"I spoke to Gary on Friday and he knows that there is a new deal on offer at Burnley for him. The decision whether he stays or moves elsewhere is entirely his."

Deepdale officials remained tight-lipped today but I understand Parkinson is high on Gary Peters' wanted list.

Preston are in the market for a right sided defender, fuelling speculation still further that North End could strike for the 28-year-old full-back. Peters has recently given a trial to highly-rated Scunthorpe right-back Mike Walsh, but Parkinson could fit the bill if the Preston boss plumped for a more experienced operator.

The Preston manager has already hinted that several players still under contract at Deepdale could be on the move as he attempts to bring in at least four new faces.

Parkinson capped a splendid season with the Clarets when he was named in the Professional Footballer's Association Second Division team with David Eyres last month.

And last weekend he got the fans vote in the Evening Telegraph player of the season poll.

Parkinson, who scored Burnley's winning goal at the 1994 play-off final at Wembley, was signed by Jimmy Mullen from Bolton Wanderers for £80,000 the same year.

Meantime, Peter Swan was due to see a specialist in London today in a bid to sort out an Achilles tendon problem which has troubled the big defender for over a month.

Physio Andy Jones said: "We will know more when the surgeon investigates the injury. Hopefully, it will not need surgery."

Burnley have been linked with Doncaster defender Darren Moore. Heath said: "We are aware of the situation and we will have to wait and see if anything develops. There are several clubs interested in him."

Bury manager Stan Ternent is expected to complete the signing of striker Tony Battersby from Notts County for around £100,000 this week.

Battersby spent two months on loan at Gigg Lane and helped Bury to promotion to Division One.

Season ticket sales at Gigg Lane have already broken through the 2,000 barrier.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.