PAUL McKenna thinks a lot of Sam Allardyce -- but he is ready to hurt the Bolton boss's feelings in the First Division play-off final at the Millennium Stadium on Monday.

Allardyce was on the coaching staff at Preston when he signed then 16-year-old McKenna.

Big Sam left to join Blackpool soon after but has remained in contact with the winger.

"Sam signed me as an apprentice and is a great fellow," said the 23-year-old.

"My mum and dad are still good friends with him.

"But it's dog eat dog and my loyalties lie with Preston North End and helping them to promotion."

McKenna stole the headlines last Thursday, scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out with Birmingham which took North End into the final and gave them the chance of climbing from the Second Division into the top flight in successive seasons.

The Chorley-born winger had been on the bench, but came on to replace striker Jon Macken and was then one of the five designated to take a spot kick.

"The gaffer asked me if I wanted to do it and I thought 'go on then.'

"But I was a bit worried when I knew I would be number five!

"I just kept thinking how many people were watching me at home and in the pubs.

"And I knew I'd get stick if I missed it.

"But then, after being on the bench and not really feeling apart of it, it went in and luckily for me I got the one that took us through. It was a great moment.

"But even if I am on the bench on Monday I will still feel a bit part of it. "We have exceeded expectations ten fold and everything is a bonus no matter what happens."

While McKenna stole the show in the semi-finals, striker Macken is hoping to be the top man in the final.

"It would mean everything to score at Cardiff and an 89th minute winner in a 1-0 win would do," laughed the frontman, who netted 22 goals this season which helped Preston to seal fourth place - nine points adrift of Bolton.

"I think for the next few days I will be dreaming about scoring at Cardiff.

"It would be fantastic to get a goal but I'll accept setting the winner up as well!"

Macken, who joined North End from Manchester United four seasons ago, is now looking at returning to the Premiership with Preston, after North End's 40 years out of the top flight.

"You can't help but think about the Premiership. It is within our grasp. With a bit of luck I could be going to Old Trafford next season."

Strike partner David Healy, North End's record £1.5m buy also from United, is keeping his mind focussed on Monday's clash between the North West sides.

"It is a Lancashire derby which adds some spice and there is going to be a bit of stick flying across the stands," said the 21-year-old.

"We have to concentrate on the pitch. There are a lot of fans travelling down, it's a long journey, a long day and hopefully we can reward them." Mark Rankine, who scored the 92nd winner which took the Birmingham game into extra-time at Deepdale, is struggling with a hamstring strain but has no doubt he will be running out at Cardiff.

"You just try and stop me. Nothing will stop me from making that final! I'm looking forward to it," said the 31-year-old former Wolves battler.

"We have a great team spirit here. The manager and the players are young and hungry.

"David and Jon are young lads but are top class finishers so if we can create chances against Bolton, they have a good chance of putting them away.

"We will think about Arsenal and Manchester United and whatever comes after that if we do it.

"But even if we do not make it, the lads have done really well this season and we haven't to be disappointed."