How the Clarets' forward line will look for the visit of Preston is anyone's guess. Gifton Noel Williams could claim Ade's lone striker role in a 4-5-1 formation, or Noel-Williams, Graham Branch and even Danny Karbassiyoon could fight for the two forward places in a 4-4-2 formation. Dave Kevan has said the Clarets have a number of options for Saturday, but the attacking options certainly look limited without top scorer Ade Akinbiyi.

Preston are suffering with a number of injuries at present, Brian O'Neil, Matt Hill, Eric Skora, Andy Lonerghan, Andy Smith and Michael Brown are all set to miss this one. Good news for Preston is the return to fitness of Paul McKenna who has been suffering from an ankle injury. The Lilywhites are also boosted by transfer window signings Brian Stock from Bournemouth and Simon Whaley from Bury, signed for £150,000 and £350,000 respectively. Both played their part in the 2-0 victory over Millwall last weekend with Stock particularly impressing, with Whaley being introduced as a second half sub.

The two sides have met this season in a 0-0 draw at Deepdale when the Clarets really should have won the game courtesy of a strange free kick routine that ended with John Harley missing a sitter. Burnley gave debuts in that particular game to John Spicer and former loanee Keith Lowe. Spicer had a good debut and Lowe looked assured alongside another fantastic performance from John McGreal.

Blake's second was more of sheer persistence than anything else, with Preston's Chris Lucketti looking as though he was helping out Blake in scoring the goal. After allowing Blake to pass him with ease and bare down on goal, Lucketti then attempted a block which cannoned towards his own goal, the keeper got a hand to it but Blake was there to put away the rebound and claim all three points for the Clarets.

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