Preston North End want to make Watford midfielder Lee Williamson’s loan switch permanent this summer.

Williamson has impressed Alan Irvine since his switch to Deepdale in March and the Preston boss has enquired about the 26 year old should the Hornets decide to sell him.

Watford boss Brendan Rodgers said: “I spoke to Alan at the end of the season so we discussed Lee’s situation.

“He expressed an interest if something was to happen and if Lee was to become available then he would be keen to do something.”

The former Rotherham man scored one goal in his five appearances but missed out on Preston’s two playoff semi finals after being sent off against Birmingham, although that doesn’t seem to have put off Irvine.

He said: "We've not had any word from Watford about what their intentions are with regard to Lee and until they make that clear then there's nothing for us to talk to them about.

"Lee did a terrific job while he was here, it was very unfortunate that he missed the play-off games because he was playing very well and he would have been an important player for us in those games.

"Who knows what will happen with Lee in the future, as I say, Watford will have to decide on that first of all and then if they look as if they're trying to sell Lee then it's something that we can enquire about."

There is a good chance Watford would be willing to sell Williamson as he was behind youngsters Ross Jenkins and on-loan pair Jack Cork and Danny Rose in centre midfield and Don Cowie, Tommy Smith and Jobi McAnuff for a right midfield spot.

And although Cork, Rose and Cauna look to have played their last game for the Hornets, manager Brendan Rodgers will be keen to bring in his own players in his first summer transfer window.

Williamson signed for Watford with Will Hoskins in January 2007 for a combined fee which could rise to £1million.