An impressive run of 18 matches up until the final game of the League One season had Preston North End in prime position to be automatically promoted back to the Championship.

What followed was a disaster as Simon Grayson's men lost 1-0 at lowly Colchester United to gift second spot to MK Dons, meaning that the playoffs beckoned again after heartbreak a year earlier against eventual winners Rotherham United.

It was different this time around as the Lilywhites beat Chesterfield 4-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals before seeing off Swindon Town by the same scoreline at Wembley to seal a return to the Championship after four years away.

Grayson has been able to bring back Jermaine Beckford and Paul Gallagher on permanent deals, and fans will be hoping that they can storm the second tier in the same way that Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers did last year.

In

Jermaine Beckford (Bolton Wanderers), Paul Gallagher (Leicester City), Greg Cunningham (Bristol City), Will Keane (Manchester United, season-long loan), Jordan Pickford (Sunderland, season-long loan), Marnick Vermijl (Sheffield Wednesday, season-long loan)

Out

David Buchanan (Northampton Town), Kevin Davies, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (Chesterfield), Lee Holmes (Exeter City), Keith Keane (Cambridge United), Jack King (Scunthorpe United), Scott Laird (Scunthorpe United), Thorsten Stuckmann (Doncaster Rovers), Scott Wiseman (Scunthorpe United), Jack Ryan (Morecambe, short-term loan)

Last season - 3rd in League One

Manager - Simon Grayson

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By achieving promotion last season, Grayson has now gone up to the Championship with four different clubs, but he is yet to be promoted to the promised land of the Premier League. His winning percentage with the Lilywhites of 51% is the best of his career and it has been built on strong form at home.

Preston only lost once at home in the league last season and the first two sides to visit Deepdale this term will be promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town, offering Grayson's side the chance to quickly test themselves against two of the strongest sides in the league.

Key Player - Joe Garner

Had Preston not gone up, it is likely that Garner would still be playing in the Championship this season as there would have been a ton of interest in the frontman.

He led League One in scoring last term with 25 goals, and Preston fans would have been delighted when he signed a new three-year deal earlier this summer. He and Beckford should be a fantastic partnership and the loan arrival of Keane will help if the duo have a drought.

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Possible starting lineup

Pickford; Woods, Clarke, Wright, Cunningham; Humphrey, Kilkenny, Welsh, Gallagher; Beckford, Garner

First game: Middlesbrough (H), Full fixture list

Sports Mole says

The last time Preston were promoted to this level in 2000 they reached the playoff final in their first season. A similar feat is unlikely this time around, but other sides have done well straight after coming up in recent times.

Grayson has not strengthened much in defence and he will be hoping that the second-best backline from League One last season can handle the strikers of the Championship.

Being able to secure the permanent captures of Beckford and Gallagher, as well as tying down Garner, is the best business that Grayson has managed. A push for the top half could be possible if the Lilywhites stay healthy.

Prediction - 10th