One of two full debutants on Saturday against Swansea, central midfielder Paul Coutts finally got the chance to run out for North End after the transfer deadline denied him making an appearance on Tuesday against Barnsley.

The former Peterborough United midfielder was in action at the weekend though and he told pne.com he's hoping that he can settle down in the area and in Darren Ferguson's first XI.

"It was a big rush last week, I was up and down getting stuff last week so hopefully I can get a bit more settled now, I'm having a look around now and I can get settled soon. It doesn't impact too much, you've just got to prepare professionally."

Goals from David Cotterill and Ashley Williams were the difference between the two teams and though midfielder was pleased to make his debut he was understandably disappointed with the performance.

"It was a little bit disappointing with the result obviously, I thought I did okay, they're a good side though and they deserved the victory. It was okay, I think we struggled a little bit because Swansea kept the ball so well, we were tired from chasing around so I think we struggled a little bit. Obviously it's new to me playing with the lads but we can only go forward now.

"I thought they played very well, played it the right way and kept the ball, it was very difficult to play against so if we could play like that we'd be very difficult to beat."

Coutts will be joined in the first team squad by fellow new boy Matt James for the game against Sheffield United and the Scotsman is looking forward to working with the Man Utd midfielder.

"I met Matt yesterday and trained with him but coming from United I expect he'll be good so it should help the competition fo the squad."

This week represents a huge one for North End with the derby against Blackpool looming large on the horizon. For Coutts, it's a question of focusing on the challenge of the Play-Off chasing Blades.

"It's the big derby on Saturday but we've got to keep our minds on Sheffield United first, try and get there points and we'll take that as it comes. They've got something to prove having not won in three, but they're a tough team to beat and are a good side so hopefully we can beat them at our place with home advantage."

The middle man was a member of the Peterborough team that lost 1-0 with Kevin Blackwell's team at Bramall Lane earlier in the season and Coutts expects a similar type of challenge from the Yorkshiremen at Deepdale.

"I played against them at Peterborough, it was 1-0 at Brammall Lane, it won't be pretty, the dont play like SWansea play, they're a big physical strong team so hopefuly we canpass it round them."

Coutts wasn't around Deepdale when the Blades edged PNE 2-1 in the Play-Offs at the end of last season however he is well aware that some of his teammates can draw on that for inspiration and that three points would be the ideal way of preparing for the weekend derby.

"That will mean alot to the rest of the lads but it's another three points for me which would be a fanstastic boost for Blackpool but we have to keep our minds on Sheffield United first and take the derby as it comes."