Pablo Counago has turned down a loan move to Preston.

North End boss Billy Davies made an approach for the Spanish striker yesterday as he looks to bolster his strikeforce after selling David Healy to Leeds in a £600,000 deal recently.

"Preston have been on to us about Pablo and asked to take him on a month's loan," Blues boss Joe Royle confirmed to the Club website.

              Pablo - Preston interest

"I thought it would be good for him to get some regular first-team football under his belt but Pablo said no to the move.

"That's the end of it as far as we're concerned and he will be in contention for Saturday's game against Leeds."

Pablo has fallen behind Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi as first choice strikers at Portman Road this season and most of his appearances have come as a second-half substitute.