Preston have been boosted by the news that captain Callum Davidson should make his long-awaited return from injury against Middlesbrough.

The Scotland defender has been out since September after tearing his hamstring while on international duty but is back in training and Alan Irvine is confident his skipper will be back on the pitch against Boro.

"Callum's trained so we'll keep an eye on him and hopefully he'll be okay for Saturday," Irvine told the official Preston website.

Davidson's return will see Andy Lonergan give up the armband.

Paul Parry could start after being named as an unused substitute in the victory over Sheffield Wednesday midweek as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Barry Nicholson remains out with a broken leg but Irvine has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.