Preston boss Alan Irvine will be without a number of players for the home Championship clash against Lancashire rivals Burnley on Saturday.Midfielder Kevin Nicholls faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in a reserve game against Tranmere on Monday.

An MRI scan revealed the former Leeds man had damaged a cartilage during the 2-0 win at Prenton Park.

On-loan West Brom frontman Craig Beattie has already returned to The Hawthorns after sustaining a torn hamstring injury which is set to keep him out for the rest of the season.

Defender Liam Chilvers recently underwent surgery on his ruptured Achilles and is a long-term absentee, but full-back Michael Hart is nearing full fitness after a hip injury.

Kick-off at Deepdale is 1pm.

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