Preston North End boss Darren Ferguson will ask his board to complete the permanent transfer of Iain Hume after the striker produced another impressive display in the 1-1 draw with Reading. Hume has impressed since joining on loan from Barnsley and made the opener when his dogged run set up Keith Treacy.

But the Royals claim a deserved point when Jem Karacan powered in a 25-yard half volley, and the hosts then had Darel Russell sent off late on for two bookings.

Ferguson said: "As a club we have to get Iain Hume done and dusted before other clubs start sniffing around.

"He is a great wee lad and we are lucky to have him.

"He is a pest, difficult to play against and has still got the bravery he has always had. He is good in the air and a very good player at this level."

Ferguson, whose side have dragged themselves off the foot of the table with seven points in just over a week, added: "I suppose if I had been offered seven from nine at the beginning of the week I would have taken it.

"But I just felt that it was a really good opportunity today to get three wins on the bounce.

"We have shown the character and spirit we have in the squad by digging in when we went down to 10 men. And it has taken a wonder goal for them to get back into it."