MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Carlo Nash yesterday ended his Teesside torment by joining Championship play-off contenders Preston North End.

Nash, who made just five appearances in two years for Steve McClaren's men, was unhappy at his inability to displace Australian international Mark Schwarzer and opted to move back to his native North-West ahead of today's transfer deadline.

The three-and-a-half year deal could net Boro as much as £175,000 dependent on clauses in the 31-year-old's contract.

Nash, who signed for Boro from Manchester City in 2003 when Mark Crossley departed the club, will become the Lilywhites starting keeper after loanee Chris Day returned to Queens Park Rangers. The club's other goalkeeper, former Darlington player Andy Lonergan, is sidelined with injury until next season.

Nash's last game for Boro was against Aston Villa at the beginning of the month.

Preston boss Billy Davies said he was delighted to have landed someone with the pedigree of Nash.

"We're delighted to bring in a top quality goalkeeper with the experience he's got and the level that he's played at," he said. "We know all about his goalkeeping. He's worked at some very big clubs in the past few years and I think he's been very unfortunate because he's had to be understudy to some top, top goalkeepers."

Davies said he believed Nash was particularly unlucky during his stint in the North-East.

"He was second choice to Mark Schwarzer and that's difficult for anybody, but we know all about his background," he said. "We know all about his ability and we're delighted he's here.

"He's got a lovely personality and the most important thing is that we have got this lad at 6ft 5ins with great stature who will now come in and be part of our long-term plans."

Nash was at Deepdale yesterday but will have more than week before he sees action with Preston's next match not until April 2 when the side face Gillingham.

Nash's departure means that Schwarzer just has a trio of youngsters for company. Ross Turnbull, Brad Jones, who has been on the bench recently, and David Knight are all highly regarded. However, speculation is bound to be rife about whether Boro will seek to bring in an experienced keeper to keep Schwarzer, who recently signed a new three-year deal, on his toes.

Meanwhile, midfielder George Boateng, on the road to recovery after a foot injury, has said a Champions League spot must still be Boro's target this season.

Boro went out of the UEFA Cup to Sporting Lisbon and have slipped down to ninth in the Premiership following Sunday's 3-1 reverse to Southampton.

However, the Dutchman believes if Boro get their injured stars back the season could still end on a high.

"Despite the disappointment of our UEFA Cup exit last week and our defeat to Southampton, I still feel we are capable of winning a European place via our league position," he said. "If we can get Mark Viduka, Jimmy (Floyd Hasselbaink) and myself fully fit, then anything is possible.

"In fact, I feel if we hadn't lost so many people to injury we would have been close to a Champions League place. Our target is now to win every match we have remaining this season and that could get us a spot in the Champions League, I believe."

* Anthony McMahon yesterday underwent surgery on his injured knee. The young right back is expected to be out for at least six weeks.

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