Preston defender Billy Jones could feature in Saturday's Deepdale clash with Cardiff after being asked to play through the pain barrier.The right-back limped off after just 19 minutes of the 1-0 home defeat by Scunthorpe on Boxing Day.

He is booked in for a hernia operation in the New Year, but Alan Irvine is desperately hoping Jones can be patched up to play against Cardiff and at Sheffield Wednesday on January 1.

Darren Carter came on to replace Jones against the Iron while Callum Davidson dropping back into defence to plug the gap.

Meanwhile, skipper Paul McKenna recovered from ankle ligament damage to return to the side against Scunthorpe and should continue in midfield against the Bluebirds.

McKenna's comeback was the only change to the which won at Southampton last weekend.

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