Preston manager Alan Irvine will check on defender Callum Davidson ahead of Tuesday's Carling Cup second-round tie at home to Derby.The full-back twisted his knee during the recent win over Crystal Palace, ruling him out of Scotland's midweek friendly with Northern Ireland and the weekend's 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, the injury is not as serious as first feared and he may be passed fit to return to action.

Striker Chris Brown is likely to be missing again with a painful bout of sciatica that has so far kept him sidelined this season.

Brown is expected to return against Charlton at Deepdale this weekend but goalkeeper Wayne Henderson (back) and defenders Liam Chilvers (Achilles) and Neal Trotman (hernia) all remain sidelined.

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