Preston manager Alan Irvine will have to do without Simon Whaley and Billy Jones when they travel to Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Day.Winger Whaley gave the Lilywhites the lead after just five minutes against Cardiff on Saturday but was forced to limp out of the action just 15 minutes later with a torn muscle.

Whaley is likely to be missing for up to two weeks and his injury setback is compounded by news that defender Jones will not play until after his hernia operation in the New Year.

Irvine had hoped the right-back would play through the pain barrier but he has not recovered from the knock he sustained during the Boxing Day clash against Scunthorpe.

Meanwhile, Neil Mellor is likely to be given a rare start as boss Irvine looks for inspiration to get his team out of their current rut.

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