Alan Irvine is hopeful that Billy Jones will return to training on Friday after x-rays showed no serious damage to his ankle injury.

The Preston North End manager told PNE Player on Thursday that whilst he expected the defender to sit out Thursday's training session, he was keeping his fingers crossed that he would be available for the game against Plymouth on Saturday.

"We will check on Billy Jones. He obviously came off the other night with a bit of a twist in his ankle. We have had him x-rayed and there doesn't appear to be anything seriously wrong there. We will see how he is today [Thursday], chances are he won't train today, but we will hopefully get him back tomorrow," Irvine said in an exclusive PNE Player interview.

The Preston boss is also checking on the fitness of skipper Callum Davidson and joint-top goalscorer Neil Mellor ahead of the visit of the Pilgrims.

He said: "Callum Davidson was complaining about tight groins during the game on Tuesday night but he played the full 90 minutes so I expect him to be ok. Neil Mellor got a bit of a whack low down on his leg but again it was only a kick and I'll be very surprised if he doesn't train this morning."

Check out PNE Player for an extended interview with the North End boss where he gives a full preview to this weekend's game against Plymouth Argyle. Sign-up now and get a free Preston North End replica shirt.