STUART Lewis says Stuart Beavon is the best striker he's ever played with - but says Wanderers need to accept he's moved on.

Beavon made an instant impact after joining League One Preston North End minutes before Friday's transfer deadline, scoring once and setting up another as the Lilywhites hammered promotion favourites Swindon Town 4-1 on Sunday.

But Lewis - who said Beavon is better than former team mates who are now plying their trade in the top flight - said Blues can't keep talking about him now he's gone.

The midfielder said: "I played with Simeon Jackson at Gillingham and Steve Morison at Stevenage and he's a better striker than them, hands down, and they are in the Premiership now.

"He deserves his move. He was excellent last year for us with his all round game. He's a good friend and I wish him all the best but now we've got to draw a line under that and get on with our season. We can't keep talking about one player.

"Bevs is a great lad and deserves his move, deserves the financial rewards. He's going to be a miss, it's stupid for us to even say he's not going to be.

"We've got to collect ourselves as a group and say, 'Come on, let's have a go at this', roll our sleeves up and have a right go."