Preston North End decide against David Healy return

Preston have decided not to offer a contract to striker David Healy.

The Northern Ireland international, 33, approached manager Graham Westley about the possibility of returning to Deepdale, eight years after leaving.

But Westley said the bad feeling between Healy and some supporters, stemming from Healy's controversial exit, turned him against the move.

"Making a controversial move, on my part, would be the wrong thing to do," the Preston boss told the club website.

"I have spoken to David to let him know that we are not going to proceed with that at this moment in time.

"It is a difficult one, because David has so much proven quality, but my feeling is that we've had a revolution at this club this summer.

"It has been a difficult time and the fans have been through a lot. Then we've had a summer of revolution, where they have been brilliant in getting behind the new team.

"There is a body of supporters who have a strong feeling against the move and I think it would be the wrong thing to do at this moment in time."

Healy is a free agent after leaving Rangers at the end of last season.

His departure in 2004, and his celebrations when scoring against them for Leeds shortly afterwards, soured relations between himself and many Preston supporters.