Greg Docherty explains how he can help Preston North End after signing short-term deal

Greg Docherty believes he can 'definitely' help Preston North End with his experience, leadership and 'footballing ability.'

Graham Alexander has taken the opportunity to bolster his squad amid mounting injury problems by signing free agent Docherty on a short-term deal.

The 30-year-old had been training with the club for the past two weeks and played over an hour for the Under-21s on Monday night, impressing the manager.

Now Docherty has put pen to paper on a contract until the end of the current season and the midfielder is aiming to have an immediate and positive impact.

"For me, it's coming in and helping the group, first and foremost," he said in his first interview on the club's YouTube channel when asked what his biggest priority was.

"I think I can definitely do that. I was captain at my previous club for two years and I felt I had a positive effect on the group. I'm very capable of rolling my sleeves up and digging in.

“I just feel this club fits me, being from up North, this club, its values, what it stands for, I feel I can connect with this club. Connect with the people around the place.

"I've spent a bit of time around the place recently. People were actually coming up to me, it's been really nice and really positive, asking me what's happening and willing me to come in as well. That gave me a nice feel.

"I just think it's a really good group of boys in there from what I've got to know so far and I just think I can come in and little bits of experience I've had and different bits. I think experience is a big one but, hopefully, my footballing ability as well can help."

How Docherty kept fit without a club

Docherty had been without a club for nearly two months when he arrived at Euxton last week after he was released by Charlton Athletic, despite being skipper and having a year remaining on his contract, on the last day of the summer transfer window by mutual consent.

Alexander has been impressed with how fit he has managed to keep himself since his last 90 minutes in August - a Carabao Cup defeat to Spurs - despite not being with a team.

Docherty has revealed he did not expect to leave The Valley, but enjoyed the chance to train one-on-one with a coach to maintain his physical levels while awaiting his next opportunity.

"I left my previous club quite suddenly, to be honest with you," he explained. "It wasn't something that I expected or was in the pipeline, but it was just best for both parties at the time. So then, suddenly, you're thinking what am I going to do now?

"Because as a footballer, I think you maybe take it for granted sometimes that you're training every day, you're keeping fit, you've got that routine, stimulation.

"That was a thing for me so it was just trying to recreate that as best I could. I was working one-to-one with a coach. Which was really good for me. It allowed me to work on stuff that maybe I couldn't in a group environment.

"I enjoyed that. Don't get me wrong, it was difficult keeping fit, but I do pride myself on keeping fit.

"The fact that I could come in here, train, and not look out of place was important for me. I'm glad that the work I put in behind the scenes thankfully paid off, and the manager thinks I can come in and help the group. My fitness being part of that is a good thing."

What convinced Docherty to sign for PNE

Docherty, who has taken the No.5 shirt, spoke of his pride of signing for a club 'steeped in history' and how Preston had always been a club he 'kept an eye on' having known players and managers who have been at Deepdale in years gone by.

Preston being closer to his native Scotland than London, having family in the North of England, and a love for Deepdale meant the club ticked a lot of boxes for him.

It was also talking with Alexander and seeing the work he is putting in that really convinced him to join the club.

He said: "I think the values of the club. The moment I walked in here, less than two weeks ago now, I got a really good feel from speaking to the manager, the staff.

"Obviously, he's got a brilliant rapport with the fans, a great history. I knew he had a brilliant career here. Coming in, speaking to him, how passionate he is about the club, how he wants to change the situation the club is in.

“Speaking to the players, I know a few boys in the dressing room, and I've played against a few boys, I look across the dressing room and I see real quality. We are where we are at the moment and I think it's exciting to try and go change that, improve it.

"With the manager, his beliefs, what he wants to do and the work he's doing behind the scenes, I think it could be good."

Docherty is eligible for Saturday's game against Southampton and adds that he is 'ready' to play in what would be a 'special' debut.