Preston North End manager Simon Grayson is keen to sign striker Jermaine Beckford on a permanent basis when his loan deal expires this summer.

Beckford has signed a two-year deal at PNE

The Bolton striker has been in superb form on-loan at Deepdale this season, netting 15 times in 25 appearances for the club.

However, that form wasn't enough to convince Bolton boss Neil Lennon to offer the former-Leeds striker a new deal at the Macron Stadium and the 31-year-old's name was on the club's released list at the end of the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his team's play-off final against Swindon this weekend, Preston boss Grayson said: "We'll sort all the contracts out of players who are up for renewals or on loan from other clubs once we've got the Wembley game out the way.

"We've obviously put lists together for plan A and plan B. But the one thing you'll say about Jermaine is he loves being here. He's played a big part in the success but he's also enjoying working with me and Glynn (Snodin).

"We like to think we've got the best out of him, he's a happy lad, so let's hope we can make a decision easier by getting into the Championship."

Should Preston not win at Wembley on Sunday, Beckford may well find himself playing back in the Championship anyway, with former club Leeds United a possible destination for the striker.

Beckford played for the Yorkshire club between 2006 and 2010, amassing 152 appearances and scoring 84 goals, establishing himself as a firm fans' favourite in the process.

If his potential move to Preston does not materialise, then the Leeds support may welcome the former-Everton man back to Elland Road with open arms, in the hope that he provides some much-needed fire-power to a struggling side.