Source: SKY_Sports
Irvine fears St Ledger exit
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Preston North End boss Alan Irvine fears Sean St Ledger will join Middlesbrough, while Paulo Sousa was disappointed by Swansea City's failure to take their chances.[LNB] Republic of Ireland defender St Ledger is a target for Boro, who are hoping to agree a loan deal with a view to a permanent move.[LNB]St Ledger stayed behind at the final whistle to applaud the Preston fans following Saturday's 2-0 victory over Swansea.[LNB]And, while Irvine does not want St Ledger to leave Deepdale, he understands a decision could be taken out of his hands.[LNB]Irvine said: "We know that there is an interest from Middlesbrough and we know that their interest is quite strong.[LNB]"Unfortunately nowadays the decision (to keep a player) doesn't always come down to the manager.[LNB]"Every player at this club will have his price, regardless of whether I want him to stay or whether the chairman and the board want him to stay.[LNB]"Sean St Ledger has been fantastic for us and the last thing I want to do is lose a good player.[LNB]"He's come on in leaps and bounds and is a lad who is desperate to learn and desperate to improve.[LNB]"He's very self-critical and is always looking to correct anything he does wrong.[LNB]"We've got a fantastic relationship and I hope that continues for a long time."[LNB]Neil Mellor and Stephen Elliott scored the goals to sink Swansea and Irvine was pleased with how his team went about their job.[LNB]Irvine added: "We knew that Swansea would be really well organised and if you don't do your job they will open you up.[LNB]"But we stuck to our task, created plenty of chances and could have won more comfortably in the end."[LNB]Since Roberto Martinez's defection to Wigan, and Sousa's subsequent appointment as his successor, Swansea have struggled badly and offered next to nothing at Deepdale.[LNB]A goal threat was seriously lacking and the withdrawal of the ineffective Lee Trundle, back at the Liberty Stadium on loan from Bristol City, after just 57 minutes said everything.[LNB]Sousa insisted: "I think that was one of our best games and the only thing missing was putting the ball in the net.[LNB]"Against a team like Preston it's important to take your chances when you get them.[LNB]"I'll keep believing in my players because of the amount of chances we created."[LNB]
