Preston manager Alan Irvine will be without on-loan striker Craig Beattie for Saturday's trip to face Charlton at The Valley.The West Brom forward sustained a hamstring injury on his North End debut during Tuesday's 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Leicester.

He is scheduled to undergo a scan on Monday but Irvine fears he will be out of action for at least a fortnight and possibly longer.

Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor is in line to replace Beattie in the starting line-up and Preston are boosted by the return of Callum Davidson.

The left-back has completed a two-match ban but Irvine may keep faith with Matt Hill after the midweek win at the Walkers Stadium.

Irvine will also hope to have midfielder Richard Chaplow available again after he missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury.

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