Preston North End's young goalkeeper Andrew Murphy could be set for an extended stay at Deepdale after Alan Irvine offered him a contract extension.

The rookie keeper has spent much of this season on loan at Northwich Victoria and Vauxhall Motors but the 19-year-old has done enough in his first full year as a professional to impress his Deepdale bosses.

"We've already told Andy that we will be giving him another contract," Irvine said on Monday.

"I've been very impressed with him, he looks like a promising young goalkeeper. He's a fantastic shape and size, he kicks the ball very well and he's got good hands.

"I've been very impressed in training when he has come in with us so we've decided to give him an extended contract, we've not got the details of that yet, it's not going to make him rich but it is going to give him a chance."

Murphy continues a good tradition of keepers to come through the ranks at Deepdale, David Lucas, Andy Lonergan and Chris Neal have all gone on to become established league campaigners after coming through the Deepdale youth set-up.