Preston North End forward Neil Mellor has been forced to hang up his boots.

The 29-year-old former Liverpool youngster has struggled to regain full fitness since damaging his knee in 2011, and has taken medical advice to call time on his playing days.

"I have agreed to keep lines of communication open with [Preston manager] Graham Westley just in case I come across a miracle cure but realistically, and regrettably, this is the end of my playing days," said Mellor.

The Sheffield-born player progressed through the youth ranks at Liverpool, and he also had loan spells for West Ham United, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday during his career.

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