Ever since Chris Lucketti joined Preston from Huddersfield, for £750,000 two years ago, the big defender has been a dominant figure at the heart of the Lillywhites back four. A solid centre half with great aerial ability, Lucketti was one of David Moyes' last signings before the former Deepdale boss moved to Everton. Lucketti, who began his career Rochdale, before moving on to enjoy success at Halifax, Bury and Huddersfield, is hoping that Preston can improve on their mid-table finish last season and challenge for a play-off place this time around. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with the 31-year-old during the club's punishing pre-season programme.
Q:HOW HAS PRE-SEASON GONE SO FAR?
A:It's gone very well, everyone's had a good break, but it's nice to be back on the training field. All the players at Preston were given a fitness programme to follow over the summer and it looks as though everyone has followed it because the squad looks in really good shape.
Q:HAS IT BEEN TOUGH?
A:It has been quite difficult, but you come to expect that because there are no short cuts in trying to regain your fitness. It has been hard this summer having to train in this heat, we're not used to this kind of weather in this country.
Q:WHEN DO YOUR PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY MATCHES BEGIN?
A:We start this weekend with a couple of games against non-league sides and then we play Hibernian next week. Next Saturday, the squad is travelling to Bath University for a week's training on their campus before coming home to play Tranmere. On the Saturday before the start of the season we have a game against Everton at Deepdale and everyone is looking forward to that one.
Q:WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION DO YOU THINK DAVID MOYES WILL GET WHEN YOU ENTERTAIN EVERTON?
A:I'm sure he'll get a great reception. He did a great job here at Preston, taking the club from the Second Division to the First Division play-off final and he is doing a fantastic job at Everton.
Q:ARE YOU SURPRISED ABOUT HOW WELL HE HAS DONE AT EVERTON?
A:No not really because he was a great coach and I always thought that he was destined for the Premiership. Perhaps I was a little surprised how quickly he has turned things around at Everton, but you have to give him enormous credit for that.
Q:YOU HAVE HAD TWO IMPRESSIVE SEASONS AT PRESTON, DO THINGS GET HARDER NOW YOU ARE IN YOUR 30s?
A:I suppose they do start to get a little harder so it is important that you take more care and look after yourself. More and more players are now playing until their mid 30s, providing that they can stay clear of serious injury and with new information available about diet and how the body works it seems as though players are able to prolong their career.
Q:IS IT TRUE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR OWN FITNESS TRAINER?
A:Yes, one of my best friends is a personal fitness trainer and I have been working with him over the summer. He is right up there with the best in his field and he has just been taken on by Liverpool football club.
Q:WHAT IS THE TARGET FOR PRESTON NEXT SEASON?
A:Our aim must be to try and get into the play-offs. The club managed to get to the play-off final a few years ago and we will be hoping to improve on last season and get into the top six. Our striker Ricardo Fuller, who missed the second half of the season with injury, is now back in training and it would be great if he could get back to the sort of form he was showing before his knee injury.
