The two week break comes to an end on Saturday, when EFL Championship football returns with the Lilywhites travelling to Craven Cottage to face Slavisa Jokanovic’s Fulham.
The home side will be bolstered by the news that summer transfer window recruit Rafa Soares will be available for first time since his move after an ankle injury and could come into the side at left back, freeing talented youngster Ryan Sessegnon the freedom to move into an advance role.
There is one absentee, with Sheyi Ojo ruled out after dislocating his shoulder against Queens Park Rangers in their derby win before the international fixtures brought about the fortnight cessation of hostilities.
However, Floyd Ayite should be back after missing the game immediately before the international break through injury and could join Soares in Jokanovic’s side to face the Lilywhites on the banks of the Thames.
Writing on Twitter in the build up to the game, the Fulham boss was complimentary of his weekend opponents, saying: “Preston have shown they're tough to beat, but we're determined to push hard on Saturday to continue where we left off before the break.”
Meanwhile, the Cottagers were being vague on the availability of highly-rated midfield man Tom Cairney. The former Blackburn Rovers player has been out the same length of time as North End opposite talisman Ben Pearson and speaking to Fulham FC TV, manager of first team medical and sports science, Marco Cesarini, said that the No.10 would be back 'soon'.
“Tom Cairney is missing now for a while and is dealing with a knee inflammation,” he explained.
“It's a very delicate situation and he's working very hard to come back into contention - it's been a positive week so far so we are a little bit more optimistic at the moment.
“We need to see how the knee reacts from the load and hopefully he will join the squad soon.”
