Keith Treacy enjoys life at Preston North End

Treacy has made 29 appearances for Preston

Preston midfielder Keith Treacy believes he is benefiting from Darren Ferguson's management style.

The Republic of Ireland international joined Preston from near-neighbours Blackburn in February.

He admitted he was close to giving the game up completely while at Ewood Park due to the lack of support.

"None of the managers at Blackburn really fancied me. It was only [Paul] Ince who showed any faith in me," Treacy told BBC Radio Lancashire.

The 22-year-old added: "[At Preston] the manager's come in and shown that faith in me.

"I spoke to Darren and he told me what he thought I could bring to the team and it lifted my spirits.

"At the moment things are going well. I go into the gym after training and I'm staying on longer than anyone else, just because I'm happy.

When I was out of that squad I started thinking maybe it down to me after all

Preston midfielder Keith Treacy

"I'm benefiting from the manager having faith in me and giving me a free role."

Dublin-born Treacy began his career as a trainee with Blackburn in 2006 under Mark Hughes, but limited opportunities saw him go out on loan to Stockport.

After returning to Deepdale, he again only managed a number of appearances under Ince and his successor Sam Allardyce, before eventually completing a permanent move to Preston on transfer deadline day.

"I always remember my time at Blackburn when I used to be on the phone to friends and family and I was close to moving back to Dublin for good," he said.

"It wasn't due to a lack of interest, it was just I didn't want to play football any more because I'd been through such a bad time.

"I had a lot more lows than highs and people back home were saying 'maybe it's not worth it, just come home and enjoy life'.

"I don't feel I had a chance under [Sam] Allardyce and then I went to Sheffield United and played a few games, but when I was out of that squad I started thinking maybe it down to me after all."

Treacy accepts he still needs to improve his defensive skills but it is an area he is working on.

"The manager has told me I'm not lazy I'm just not the best defender," he said.

"I just need to try and be difficult for people to go past and improve my positioning.

"The manager doesn't care if I lose the ball in the opposition half because we have so many bodies behind the ball.

"Basically I've got a free role to do what I want with the ball, it's just without the ball I need to come and give the centre-backs a little bit of cover."