PRESTON North End could face a battle to keep hold of midfielder Eric Skora after Scottish club Kilmarnock said they were keen for him to stay with them beyond the end of the season.

Frenchman Skora went North of the Border last month on a loan deal which will see him remain in Scotland until the end of the season.

Althought Craig Brown insists Skora is a key part of his future plans, he has found a starting place in North End's first eleven hard to come by.

He's had no such problems since arriving in Scotland, winning over the Killie fans with a peach of goal against Cletic in his first game there.

And now Kilmarnock have suggested they would like to hang on to him long-term, with boss Jim Jeffires quoted as saying he would like to be able to convince Skora to stay.

Skora said, after arriving in Scotland, however, that he would like to come back to Preston.