Davidson suffered from a lack of sleep on the US tour

Preston defender Callum Davidson has blamed last term's struggles on poor preparation including a disastrous pre-season tour of the United States.

North End lost all three matches on the tour and, according to Davidson, endured a torrid week in Portland.

"There were no training pitches and we stayed near the airport with planes landing at five o'clock in the morning," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Two of the games were on astroturf which half the lads couldn't play on."

The Scotsman was also unimpressed with the food cooked up for the players: "The boys were scraping the cheese off the lasagne because it was that unhealthy".

Preston won just three out of their opening 15 league games before manager Paul Simpson was sacked in November and Davidson felt that was down to a poor pre-season.

"I think it cost us a good start although there was a gradual build-up of getting it back."

"For me it was disaster and eventually led to the end of Paul Simpson's spell in charge."

Callum Davidson will be talking about his career on BBC Radio Lancashire between 1905 & 2005 BST on Tuesday, 13 May.