Parkin has scored 23 times in 76 appearances for Preston

Preston boss Darren Ferguson has praised striker Jon Parkin's form.

The 28-year-old has scored 12 goals this season, including two in the victory over Cardiff City on Saturday and four in the last five games.

"He's technically one of the best players at the club," Ferguson told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He knows he's in a good run of form and looks a real goal threat. It's important we keep him fresh because we've a lot of games coming up."

Parkin initially joined Preston on loan from Stoke in August 2008.

The deal was made permanent four days later, although it took him 16 games before scoring his first goal for the club in the 1-0 victory over Doncaster.

He's full of life and you need people like that who keep the spirits high Preston striker Chris Sedgwick

He has gone on to score 12 goals this season, including a hat-trick in the 7-0 FA Cup third round win over Colchester in January.

And team-mate Chris Sedgwick believes Parkin's importance to North End is often underestimated.

"Jon's always done a good job for us and at the moment the goals are going in for him," he said.

"People tend to look at his size and think he's just a battering ram but he brings other players into the game with his touches.

"When Alan Irvine [former Preston manager] brought him in he said it was because of what he can do with his feet.

"He's a great lad to have in the dressing room. He's full of life and you need people like that who keep the spirits high and a lot of lads look up to him."

You can hear full commentary from Home Park on Preston's game with Plymouth on Saturday on BBC Radio Lancashire from 1500 GMT.

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