Ormerod joined Preston in January 2006, making 68 appearances (Getty)

Preston manager Alan Irvine has told striker Brett Ormerod that he will have every opportunity to win back his first-team place at Deepdale.

The 31-year-old ended last season in League One, helping Nottingham Forest secure promotion.

But the North End boss told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I've known Brett for a long time. He loves his football and is desperate to play.

"He has an opportunity like all the others to get himself in to the team."

The former Southampton forward has started only three matches for North End since Paul Simpson was sacked in November 2007, but Irvine, who coached Ormerod as a trainee at Blackburn, has admitted that next season could be different.

We didn't send them out on loan to sell them. They were keen to play Preston boss Alan Irvine

Ormerod is one of three players returning to Deepdale for pre-season training following loan spells in League One.

Joe Anyinsah was involved with Carlisle and Crewe, while Jason Jarrett ended the campaign at Oldham.

Irvine has said that all three will be treated in the same vein as the rest of his first-team squad.

"We didn't send them out on loan to sell them. They were keen to play," added Irvine.

"They were getting frustrated at not getting the opportunity to play and them going out on loan gave them that opportunity.

"They all did well and we've had good reports from the managers who worked with them, and obviously they come back to us as our players."