PRESTON face Premiership opposition in their bid to sign wonder winger Gareth Ainsworth over the summer.

At least one top flight club is believed to be chasing the 29-year-old, who has not had his contract renewed by Wimbledon.

A total of five clubs are belived to be interested in Ainsworth.

That could force North End to improve on a previous offer for the star.

He would return to Preston for the fifth time if he signed a new contract here.

Ainsworth - along with Huddersfield striker Clyde Wijnhard - proved to be a star loaner towards the end of the season.

He won over the fans with a string of top performances, including a Terry Butcher-style bloodied appearance against Coventry City.

Ainsworth was married at the weekend and has now flown away on honeymoon.

He has left his father Bill to deal with negotiations.

He is due to meet North End in the next couple of weeks.

Both Wijnhard and Ainsworth have been offered contracts at Preston but both would have to take substantial wage cuts to come on board at Deepdale.

The Preston board of directors are determined to keep on top of wages following the collapse of ITV Digital.

It is understood Ainsworth is keen to sign for Preston, and is said to be looking for a long-term move so he can settle somewhere with his new wife.

Ainsworth's first appearance for North End was in the youth team in 1991.

His other clubs included Lincoln, Cambridge and Port Vale before ending up at Wimbledon.