North End’s latest signing Kyel Reid can’t wait to get started and it delighted that Simon Grayson and Glynn Snodin have put their faith in him.
Reid suffered a serious knee injury last season, but is close to a full recovery and can’t wait to get started at PNE under the management of Simon Grayson.
“I’m more than happy to finally get it over the line and pleased that the medical was passed and I’m just looking forward to working with Simon and Snods now and Preston and hopefully doing my extra bit to help them get promotion.” Reid told PNE.Com in an exclusive interview.
“Snods and the Gaffer are people that I’ve worked with before, so they know me really well and I know them really well so when the offer came up from them, it was a no brainer for me because of the relationship that I already have with them.
“I was just pleased that they had that interest even though I’m not fully fit at the moment, I'm not a 100% but I’m not far off and they have still shown that interest which is something I am grateful for.” Added the 26-year-old.
Through his rehabilitation, the 26-year-old has been working closely with Bradford City’s physio Matt Barrass, who used to work at PNE so he knows the Club and current physio Matt Jackson well.
I spoke to Baz [Matt Barrass] when the interest first came up and he said it’s a great club, a great stage and a great opportunity for me and it’s a big club just like Bradford as well so it’s a no brainier, if I am happy then why not.
“I’m not far off full fitness so that’s why they have done what they have because I am not far off and obviously I will be doing a lot of work with Jacko [Matt Jackson].
“Jacko spoke to Matt, they get on really well so he knows quite a lot already from Baz, he has filled him in on all the stuff that I have done so I’m not far. My plan of action now is just to get my head down and just get focused and just get fit so I will be ready for the start of the season.
“The injury came at a bad time for me, because things were going well for me in my football career, but its part and parcel of being a footballer, these things come it’s just how you come back from it.
“I’ve just been working hard keeping my head down to be come back stronger and I just know that it was only a matter of time before something good would actually come up and it has.”
Aside from the staff, one thing that stood out the most for the winger is the facilities at the Club, and the environment he would be playing in.
“Coming up to see the people at the Club and see the Gaffer and Snods and have a look at the training ground and facilities and everything, everything is there and it’s like a championship club with all of the facilities and how well the club is run so it wasn’t hard for me to make that decision and make the switch.
“Obviously I’ve been at Bradford a long time, I’ve got some good memories and great times I have had there.
“I would just like to thank everyone at Bradford, the Club, the manager, the staff and everyone that looked after me and made me welcome for the three season that I was there but now I just want to get my head down, get fit and focus on doing my bit for Preston North End.”
The North End faithful may be aware of Reid who played against the Lilywhites at Deepdale last season, and caused all sorts of problems on the wing, and he is hoping to replicate that in a PNE shirt.
“That’s my game, that’s what I like to do, get on the ball and just run at people and try and create something and get some crosses in for the strikers, or get the midfielders involved from the midfield to get into the box and maybe get on the scoresheet myself.
“I’m one of those players that likes to excite so I will be doing my bit, working hard to get fit and come back stronger than I was when I left.
“It was one of my favourite games last season to be honest, as soon as I came on, the pitch just stood out for me and the atmosphere in the stadium between the fans.
“The Preston fans were giving me a bit of stick but it was a great game, I enjoyed playing in it but I am more than happy to be coming back there to be playing for Preston this time, playing on that pitch near enough every other week.”
Although there is still work to do for Kyel before being 100% fit, his focus in now on pre-season when squad returns next week and he is relishing his new challenge.
“There’s a few of the lads that I know, that I have played with or trained with, I know one or two.
“There are a few there that I know, I'm just looking forward to starting a new chapter, a new challenge in my life now and just doing what I do best.
“There’s just one aim this season, well two for me, promotion and to stay fit and injury free! But I am looking forward to it and it’s a great opportunity for me and a great stage to set myself on.”