Managerless Preston will look to give their beleaguered fans some New Year cheer as they host Colchester United.
Deepdale the venue as North End host Us in cup clash
Managerless Preston will look to give their beleaguered fans some New Year cheer as they host Colchester United at Deepdale.
North End caretaker boss Rob Kelly is boosted by the return of winger Ross Wallace for what looks to be a tricky FA Cup third round tie.
Wallace was booked for the fifth time this season in the recent 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest and subsequently missed Monday's defeat at Sheffield United due to a one-match ban.
He will come back into contention but fellow wide man Paul Parry will be assessed after he picked up a knock at Bramall Lane.
Preston placed assistant manager Kelly in temporary charge following the shock sacking of Alan Irvine on Tuesday, little more than six months after the Scot guided the team to the play-offs.
French centre-half Youl Mawene (knee ligaments) and midfielder Barry Nicholson (broken leg) remain sidelined.
Colchester news
John-Joe O'Toole will sit out Colchester's trip north due to suspension.
The midfielder picked up his 10th booking of the season in the 2-1 win over Southampton and will now serve a two-game ban.
The Us will also be without on-loan Ipswich striker Kevin Lisbie, who is cup-tied and is set to return to Portman Road, although he has indicated a willingness to stay with Colchester.
Steven Gillespie will continue up front after playing 80 minutes of Monday's win and is set for his third start of the season following hamstring trouble.
Kayode Odejayi will return to the line-up following his permanent switch to the Community Stadium on 1st January.
Scott Vernon (knee), Lee Beevers (shoulder) and Ashley Vincent (ankle) remain sidelined.
