The veteran defender has committed himself to Deepdale until beyond his 35th birthday admitting it took him only 'a couple of minutes' to agree the deal.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said the Scotland international, who was brought in by Craig Brown from Leicester City four years ago.

"One of my biggest reasons for signing is the manager's attitude towards things and the way he wants things done.

"I think we noticed that in the latter half of the season – there was a lot more discipline from us and that helped me make up my mind."

Davidson, 32 next month, proved he is finally over the injury problems which have dogged his time with North End by starting 42 games last season, the most of his 14-year senior career.

But it was just as much his professional attitude and indomitable spirit which persuaded Alan Irvine to extend his existing contract, which still had a year to run.

"It was nice that the manager thought highly enough of me this season to offer me a new deal," he told the club website.

"I sat with the chairman for a couple of minutes and things were sorted.

"There was no pressure. The one thing since I have been at Preston is that if you do well they will look after you.

"Obviously we can't compete with the big clubs, but it is one of the things that makes you want to stay. When you have 10 or 12 months left on your contract they come and see you and try and sort something out. It gives you that security and it also makes you feel wanted. And that is a big part of being here.

"Hopefully my best years will come in these next two or three years. I did okay this last season, but I'm pretty hard on myself and I think I can do a lot better.

"Let's hope that I can get physically stronger and hopefully I can be good for the next three years."

Davidson has never before topped 40 starts in a season.

The nearest he came was 39 with Blackburn in 1998/99, 34 of those in the Premier League and the rest in cup competitions including Europe.

Since he arrived at Preston in the summer of 2004 he has had a succession of fitness problems, finally solved last summer when it was discovered he had one leg slightly shorter than the other.

A simple insert in his boot corrected the imbalance and he has looked indestructible ever since. Davidson insists the arrival of Irvine has lifted the club and given everyone hope.

"Under the new manager we have already had a chat about close season and pre-season and it has all been done very professionally," he explained.

"If you are not up to his standards then you won't be here. Over the summertime you have got to watch yourself. I don't think he will stand for much rubbish."

Davidson also paid tribute to chairman Derek Shaw for the way things have turned round at Deepdale. He said: "People give the chairman a lot of criticism, but look at what he has done for Preston.

"He has always kept the books balanced and he's slowly trying to progress the club forward.

"In a couple of years they will have a fantastic little club here, one that can strive to get into the Premier League."

>> Irvine issues players with tough summer schedules

>> First look at PNE's new home kit