Fresh from penning a 12-month extension on his contract at Preston North End, left-wing maestro Lewis Neal spoke to PNE.Com about his new deal, his season and the trip to Ashton Gate on the final day of the Championship season.

Firstly Lewis, it's great news for yourself and the Club that you'll be sticking around in Preston for a bit longer.
Obviously it's nice to know that I'm wanted and I'm in the plans for next season. I'm settled here at Preston, I don't particularly want to go anywhere and I'm looking forward to everything that is going to be happening next season.

All the lads are looking forward and it's going to be an exciting new season. The new stand will be ready, the training pitches are going to improve and the Manager has come in with new ideas. So, yes, I'm really looking forward to next year.

Was there ever any uncertainty surrounding the new deal?
Of course, I didn't know whether I would have been staying. The Manager has spoken to me and he said that he was hoping for me to stay so that obviously settled my mind a little bit.

I can relax a little and now look forward to coming back next season firing on all cylinders.

It must be a great confidence boost knowing that the Manager wants you to play a valuable part in next season.
That's what you want from a Manager and if it wasn't the case then I wouldn't be staying here. I need to come back for the start of the season ready so that if and when I get the chance at some stage, I take it and keep myself in the side.

Fingers crossed we'll be fighting at the right end of the table this time next year and hopefully we can push on and not find ourselves in the situation that we are now.

How's the last nine months been from a personal perspective?
To be honest, it's been a little bit up and down. The first three months of the season up until the new manager came were horrendous for me but as soon as he came in, I got back involved in things.

I had to wait a while before I got a few starts and then unfortunately I got a hamstring injury and I had to wait a while to get back in the side because the manager has the policy of keeping a winning side - and rightly so. After Christmas time it has generally been a lot better than it was before.

The Gaffer's policy gives all the players a fair chance to show what they are capable of.
You know that if you get a chance and play well that you are going to keep your place. That's how it has been since he has come and I can't envisage that changing going into next season.



Are you enjoying your football at the minute?
The Manager gives you a certain freedom to go out and express yourself and obviously since he has been here it has obviously worked because he has turned things around.

You've been restored to the starting line-up for the last couple of games, how have you found it?
It's nice to get back involved and get a starting position but I felt a little bit short of match fitness because I hadn't started for quite a while. It takes a bit of time to get back into the swing of things but I've enjoyed the last couple of starts and I want to carry that on into next season.

Are you looking forward to the end of the season?
You are always looking forward to a little bit of a break, especially after the mental strain of this season and everything that has gone on. It's been a draining season so I'm going to try and use the break wisely and look after myself.

And it would be nice if we could end the campaign with a win in the final league game at Bristol City.
You always want to finish the season on a high so we'll be looking to go down there and spoil the day in their last home game. We'll be looking get another three points which will make the table look that little bit nicer.