ZRYAN Kidd is battling through the pain barrier to remain in the squad, despite having picked up a break in his hand on Boxing Day. Provided he isn't struck down by the flu, he should be back in the first eleven by Saturday.

ZPRESTON have admitted they let Chelsea's new £2.5million Brazilian defender Emerson Thome slip through their fingers when he first arrived. The club confirmed the ex-Benfica centre half spent a week training with North End and, although David Moyes liked him, the club couldn't meet his pay demands.

ZSTRIKER Kurt Nogan has confessed that he would love to play for his home town Cardiff, but only if North End don't want him anymore.

Nogan made his feelings known after North End thumped Cardiff 4-0 and, modestly, he added: "I think, for £100,000 I would be a steal. After all, the asking price was £300,000 last season."

ZTHE football special train returns this Saturday to ferry fans to the Plymouth game. The game is all-ticket, with 1,870 places on the terraces and 150 covered seats. Call 902222 for details.

ZPRESTON'S table-topping clash at Wigan on January 29 will kick-off at noon after police in Wigan aired concerns about boozy fans causing trouble after the match.

Zthe home clash against Oxford Ynited has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 14 with a 7.45pm kick-off.

ZNEXT Monday's home clash in the wonderful Autowindscreen Shield will once again be a £5 all seats match. The kick off is 7.45pm. There will no concessions for the game.

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