But the 36-year-old is desperate to put one over his old club – and would have no hesitation being the man to sink North End.

The Scotland international is without a goal since his move to Burnley, but gained a reputation as a dead-eyed penalty machine at Preston, where he scored 63 goals in all, including five against the Clarets.

And if the chance arose to take a crucial spot kick in front of the supporters who used to adore him, he would have no qualms: "I was quite lucky to score a couple of winners for Preston against Burnley, so if the opportunity arises to score, that would be good.

"I think it might be me (the penalty taker).

"Obviously there are a couple of penalty takers from previous clubs, me, Unsy and Robbie, so it depends who's on the pitch at the time, but hopefully if we get one, we'll put it away.

"Obviously Andy Gray had a great record when he was here, but we haven't had one for quite a long time.

"It would be interesting for me if it was in front of the Town End!

"People keep coming up to me and talking about it, because I haven't managed to score yet this season, and everyone seems to think it might happen at Preston.

"Football doesn't always work like that, I just want to go there and get three points so we stay in contact with the play-off positions, because that's our target.

"We need the three points to get back on track after letting ourselves down against Wolves.

"We just want to put that right."

Curiously, North End have missed five out of nine spot kicks in Alexander's absence, costing them four points which could have already seen them safe from the drop.

And the Coventry-born defender said: "It was a little bit weird, with me leaving and them missing a few penalties, because there are plenty of players there with good technique, but they just haven't had the luck.

"My mate Callum (Davidson) took the last one and put it away, and I don't want to jinx him, but I hope he doesn't get one at Deepdale!"

Alexander enjoyed the best moments of his career so far with the Lilywhites, promotion in 2000, two play-off finals and international recognition, and he admits it will be strange running out at Deepdale for the opposition: "I'm not too sure how I'll feel, I'm trying not to think about it too much.

"It will be good to go back though, I've been looking forward to it, but it will be slightly weird getting changed in the other dressing room after all that time, and being in a different kit.

"Virtually everything good that has happened to me in my career happened when I was at Preston.

"We got promoted, played in play-off finals, I became an international, so I've got a lot to thank Preston for.

"David Moyes too me there and my career sort of took off from there, so I have many happy memories."

But the points are all that matter tomorrow, to push on towards Burnley's target of a top-six finish, and a crack at promotion to the Premier League, and Alexander said: "There's probably five or six clubs going for sixth place now, and everyone is within two or three points of each other, so whoever puts in the best run over these seven games will probably nick the spot.

"That's our target, but we've got to have a better run of form that we have in the last four or five games because that wouldn't be enough.

"We need to get started at Preston.

"The Premier League is obviously the target for me, personally, I thought it would happen on a couple of occasions, but that's what keeps the fire burning.

"If it happens this year, that would be fantastic, to go there and test yourself against the best."

Alexander received a tribute from both managers ahead of the game.

Owen Coyle said: "When you look at players from opposition teams, sometimes you admire them.

"But it's not until you work with someone on a daily basis that you recognise what their qualities are.

"I looked at Graham Alexander from the same observational point of view for Preston and Scotland, and thought he was a very good player.

"But when you work with him on a daily basis, he's taken that to another level, because you actually see what he brings.

"Consistently, he has been fantastic, and I can't speak highly enough about him."

And North End chief Alan Irvine added: "I would expect him to get a magnificent reception, he was a very popular player here, highly respected by the fans and players.

"He is a very good player, and I would be amazed if he didn't get an excellent welcome."