New keeper arrives at Deepdale

Chris Day
By pnefans.co.uk
February 23 2005

Preston have announced the arrival of a new keeper at Deepdale, Queens Park Rangers former England U-21 Keeper Chris Day.....more deatails

Manager Billy Davies was hoping to keep the signing quiet until the team-sheets went in on Wednesday night, leaving the illusion of North End being down to the bare bones in terms of options, but the QPR website did him no favours by releasing it just before kick-off of their game at home to Wolves.

Day, 29, was on the bench for the game at Loftus Road and North End had to wait until Wednesday morning to make sure there were no injuries for the Hoops before the signing could be confirmed and paperwork could be exchanged - meaning the QPR website had jumped the gun on the move.

But PNE got the confirmation just after ten o'clock on Wednesday from QPR boss Ian Holloway who said that everything was fine and Day was on his way up to meet up with the squad in the midlands.

Day, who has Premiership experience with Watford has already played 31 games in the Championship this season, but was ousted from the Hoops side by loan signing Simon Royce, whose form since then has kept the former Spurs player on the bench.

The QPR website describes Day as: "Former England Under 21 goalkeeper signed on a free transfer from Watford in July 2001.

"Chris won the first of his six Under 21 caps whilst at Tottenham Hotspur although he never made a First Team appearance for them. He moved to Crystal Palace for £225,000 in August 1996 and broke into the Eagles First Team making 24 appearances in his only season at Selhurst Park.

"Joined Watford in July 1997 in a deal that took Kevin Miller in the opposite direction. Whilst at the Hornets Chris gained experience of playing in the Premier League.

"He made his Rangers debut at Loftus Road against Stoke City on the opening day of the 2001/02 season but suffered a double-fracture to his right leg against Oldham in October and missed the rest of the season.

"He finally returned to first team action in March 2003 and impressed immediately with a string of outstanding performances. His injury time reaction save in the play-off semi-final second leg against Oldham will never be forgotten."

North End boss Billy Davies spoke to the website after the paperwork was completed on Wednesday morning to confirm the news: "We are delighted to have a keeper of Chris' experience and ability in the squad.

"Our goalkeeping problems have been well documented in the last few days and we are pleased to have Chris in for a month, after which time we can assess the situation again."

Day, who saved a penalty from David Healy earlier this season at Deepdale, will be given the number 33 shirt and goes straight into the squad for this evening's game at the City Ground against Gary Megson's side.

Source: Official site

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