Pompey rivals Preston North End have appointed a new manager - 15 days after sacking Paul Heckingbottom.

The Lilywhites, who sit second-from-bottom in the Championship table, have turned to former player Graham Alexander to lift them out of their current predicament.

The 54-year-old has left his role at League One leaders Bradford City to make the switch to Deepdale, where he’ll be joined by his assistant Chris Lucketti - another former PNE player.

Alexander’s first match in charge will be a home game against Millwall on Saturday, October 10.

He made 352 appearances for the club between 1999 and 2007, helping Preston win the old division two title in 2000.

‘After speaking to Preston, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. I had an amazing time here as a player and it’s great to be back.

‘At previous clubs, we’ve always improved league positions and created a team that people can appreciate and attach themselves to.

‘I want to win, I want to be successful, and a big part of that is having ambitions.’

Preston made the decision to change managers after securing just one win from their first eight Championship games of the new season.

Their draw at QPR ahead of the international break secured them just their fourth point of the campaign, with their six other second-tier fixtures ending in defeat.

North End are currently four points worse off than Pompey, who have played one game fewer.

The Blues make the trip to Deepdale, where they’ve lost on each of their past two visits, on Wednesday, December 9.

Alexander, who has guided Fleetwood, Salford City and Bradford to promotion as a manager, leaves Bradford less than a move after signing Pompey defender Hayden Matthews on loan for the season.