Last Updated: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:51
Neil Mellor has pleaded with Preston to hold on to Paul McKenna, ahead of an expected fresh bid from Nottingham Forest.
So far the Preston board have resisted two offers, believed to be around £600,000, for the experienced midfielder.
The club's resolve looks set to be further tested next week when Forest are expected to increase their offer for the 31-year-old.
Mellor believes it is vital McKenna stays at the club to help drive another promotion push next season.
"We don't want to lose our top players and Paul is one of the best we have," said the striker.
"He has proved our leader on the field for many years and we need characters like that in the dressing room. He is a big part of the fabric of Preston North End, a one-club man, which is a rarity in the modern age when players move clubs so many times in their careers."
Last season McKenna passed Sir Tom Finney's record of 472 appearances, this puts him at number nine in the all-time record appearances for the club.