NORTH End skipper Chris Lucketti has tipped resurgent Preston to go all the way to the play-offs and has shown his confidence by signing an extension to his contract.

The 33-year-old centre-half has agreed a one-year extension to his deal keeping him at Deepdale, until at least the end of the 2005/06 season.

He would have been out of contract in the summer but agreed a new contract on Wednesday.

He may have been encouraged to stay knowing that Preston could find themselves in the play-off zone by 5.45pm on Saturday, if they beat Plymouth Argyle.

It would only be their third win of the season on the road, but after Saturday's gritty performance against tough-tackling Leicester City, Lucketti believes a full-on promotion push is now possible.

Lucketti said: "There is an expectancy around us now at Deepdale.

"We've moved up a place to eighth and we're in that group now. If we can keep this run going and keep picking up points then we won't be far off."

Billy Davies has continued to urge caution, hoping North End will be able to sneak in to the play-off zone quietly rather than become one of the Championship's talked about sides like Wigan and Sunderland.

But the squad certainly looks stronger following the addition of new defender Matt Hill and striker David Nugent. The pair both made their debuts on Saturday -- Hill started while Nugent was a second half substitute -- and both seemed to impress the Deepdale faithful.

Hill broke forward down the left regularly, while Nugent appeared a handful for a Leicester defence which countered talent with tackles.

Davies said after the game that even more could be expected from Hill when he gets to link with Eddie Lewis on the left-flank.

The American international missed Saturday's game after his wife gave birth in the early hours.

North End hope to get Lewis to sign a contract extension within the next few days.

As for Nugent, his arrival has prompted Simon Lynch, currently on loan at Blackpool, to ask for another month's loan on the coast.

And Joe O'Neill, a product of the club's youth system, could be on the move to Scunthorpe.