Manager Alex Neil will be able to welcome back skipper Tom Clarke for Friday night’s televised clash with Derby County at Deepdale.
The North End No.5 has missed the two away wins at Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City with a calf problem picked up in the game at home to Swansea City, but has been back in training for a week and should be in contention for the game against the Rams.
One player ruled out is striker Louis Moult, who picked up a hamstring injury in the warm up at the bet365 Stadium last Saturday and is set for a few weeks on the sidelines as he recovers.
However, the only other injuries are to those long-term absentees, Callum Robinson (hamstring) and Billy Bodin and Josh Harrop (both ACL); with the former the closest to a return, scheduled for early March.
Meanwhile opposition boss Frank Lampard has a number of issues to deal with. For last weekend’s cup win at Accrington, the Rams were without the injured Tom Lawrence (hamstring), Andre Wisdom (groin), Scott Carson (knee) and Jack Marriott (illness)
Craig Bryson also had a slight ankle problem and was not risked, whilst Curtis Davies ruled out for the season.
Jayden Bogle will serve a one-match ban for his red card at the Wham Stadium, and Lampard must decide how to replace him. Speaking about this, the former Chelsea man said: “Andre Wisdom is hopefully training today, but I am not sure if he will be ready for Friday.
“If not, we’ll have to work around it and play someone out-of-position. I have a couple of options.”
On recent signing Ashley Cole he added: “He’s getting closer. I am not sure if will be fully involved - that extra 15 to 20 per cent match fitness is what we’re looking for. The last thing we want to do is throw him in too early. But if needs be, he might play some part.”
On the other injures, he continued: “Scott [Carson] is fit now, although is still having to be careful with his kicking. Kelle [Roos] has done very well and it’s a nice problem to have. We’ll see how it goes this weekend.
“[Mason Mount] has been having [his hamstring] assessed all week. There is a bit of swelling, so we haven’t been able to find out exactly what the injury is yet. He will be out of Friday’s game and I should know more by the weekend.
“[Jack Marriott] had some bad illness last week, which has caused him to lose a bit of weight and left him quite weak. We’ve eased him back into training, so we’ll have to see if he’s ready to be involved. Hopefully, he will be.
“Tom Lawrence trained for the last two days, as did Craig Bryson. Both are in contention.”
Whilst he also added that it is less likely that young players will be involved on Friday, because the Rams boss wants their U18s to have a full squad to choose from for Thursday’s FA Youth Cup tie with Manchester City.