Nicholson has been limited to making 58 appearances for Preston

Preston manager Phil Brown has confirmed the Deepdale club has begun talks with 32-year-old midfielder Barry Nicholson over a new contract.

The Scotland international's current deal expires in the summer.

Brown told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I've been speaking to a couple of friends of mine who played with Barry and they speak highly of him as a professional.

"And for him to get three goals in three games in the situation we're in is just testimony to the guy."

Brown, who took over the managerial role at Deepdale in January, added: "He's like an orange. When you squeeze an orange orange juice comes out. When you squeeze Barry Nicholson and put him under pressure the real Barry Nicholson comes out."

He has presence, power and ability to score goals so it's nice to see him back Preston assistant manager Brian Horton on Chris Brown

Nicholson joined Preston in July 2008 after spending three seasons with Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen.

But he has endured two lengthy spells on the sidelines after breaking the same leg on two separate occasions.

Meanwhile Brown's assistant Brian Horton says Chris Brown's midweek run out in the reserves has given North End more striking options ahead of Saturday's trip to Norwich.

"He's a good player and I think we've missed him," said the former Oxford United, Brighton and Port Vale boss of Brown. "He has presence, power and ability to score goals so it's nice to see him back.

"You can't have too many strikers, but that's been one of our problems, we haven't punished sides when we've been playing well.

"Even when we played Bristol City and lost 4-0 it's a game we should have won with the chances we had. You can have 90 minutes possession but it's about putting it in the back of the net."

There will be full commentary on Preston's trip to Carrow Road on Saturday on BBC Radio Lancashire. The build-up begins at 1400 GMT.

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