Source: Team_Talk
St Ledger ready to blunt Blades
The Lancashire outfit, who have not played top-flight football since 1961, sneaked into the play-offs by the narrowest of margins on the final day of the season.
Their 2-1 home win over QPR, coupled with Cardiff's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, meant Preston leapfrogged the Bluebirds into sixth spot by virtue of having scored one more goal.
Reaching the promised land of the Barclays Premier League would complete a remarkable renaissance for a club revived since Alan Irvine quit his post as Everton assistant manager and took the helm at Deepdale in November 2007.
Irvine's men have won their last four games - an impressive sequence which included a 6-0 thumping of Cardiff and a 2-1 victory at Birmingham - and they also boast the best home record in the division.
Highly-rated centre-back St Ledger, 24, said: "We've won the last four on the trot and beaten some really good teams - and it always tends to be the team that comes late that goes up through the play-offs.
"We've beaten Birmingham twice this season, we've also beaten Cardiff and Reading, so it's there for everyone to see that we can compete with the top teams.
"They are massive clubs paying massive wages and have put a lot of money into it.
"Then you look at us with free transfers and not spending much money and it's a great achievement for us to even get into the play-offs.
"The club has got great heritage and history, it's a magnificent club to play at and I believe it deserves to be in the top flight.
"But we've got a great chance now and hopefully we can grab it with both hands."
Prior to embarking on their four-match winning streak to end the season in style, Preston lost at home to bitter rivals Blackpool.
The 1-0 defeat on April 11 arguably represented the lowest point of their campaign and looked certain to spell the end of their play-off hopes.
Yet they have shown real character to haul themselves back into the promotion picture and set up a two-legged clash with Kevin Blackwell's side.
St Ledger added: "The Blackpool game was the lowest of the low, and I don't think anyone thought we would get in the play-offs after that.
"But, we've knuckled down, worked hard and now we've got to beat Sheffield United."
Preston are boosted by the return from suspension of influential winger Ross Wallace but on-loan Watford midfielder Lee Williamson remains banned.
Blades skipper Chris Morgan, one of five United players to have reached a play-off final, is wary of Preston's momentum, but not daunted by it.
Morgan said: "We treat everybody with respect, but don't fear anybody. It's all up for grabs and we won't shy away from anything.
"It has dropped for Preston and they have sneaked in with a late surge, having some great results in the process, so we know it won't be easy.
"But the lads are positive and the battle carries on. We are the third best team in this division, so we can be confident and believe in our ability."
