They broke the mould when they made Graham Alexander - Billy Davies

The Nottingham Forest chief worked with the Clarets midfielder at Deepdale between 2004-2006, as North End reached the Championship play-off final and then the semi-final.

And he has nothing but admiration for a player who went on to make 400 appearances for the Lilywhites, as part of his 1,000.

Alexander was signed by David Moyes - ahead of then Burnley boss Stan Ternent - from Luton in 1999, and went on to spend nine years at Preston, where he now has an executive suite named after him.

Davies is delighted to see Alexander pass an incredible milestone: “He’s a great player and a great lad.

“He’s just a fantastic professional.

“It was a real pleasure to work with him at Preston, I’ve got to tell you.

“He deserves all he gets.

“I said that to him at the end of the game on Tuesday.

“They don’t make too many like Grezza and he deserves everything he gets, he’s been a fantastic player.

“When you look at where he’s come from, his attitude and application, his training, his leadership and captaincy and what he’s done - he works his socks off every single day.

“He’s just a top lad, and very well done to him.

“He deserved playing in the Premier League, and playing international football as well.

“He’s got all he’s deserved because he’s worked his backside off.

“Good on him.”