IT'S do or die for PNE on Sunday when they take on Gillingham in the first leg of the play-offs - and the players will need no motviativg before they run out on to the Deepdale turf.

For, unlike their counterparts down the road at Ewood Park, Preston's players have vowed to put on their best display of the season against Gillingham - a side they have managed two 1-1 draws against this season.

Manager David Moyes has opted to keep the home leg on a Sunday, depite pressure to switch the game to a Saturday to avoid clashing with the last day of the Premier League.

He is hoping the extra 24 hours will mean Moyes has more players to choose from and fewer struggling in the treatment room. Lee Cartwright, David eyres, Dominic Ludden and Citizen player of the season Michael Jackson are all struggling at the moment as is striker Kurt Nogan.

Without Nogan, Preston's firepower could be limited - especially after Steve Basham refused to sign up for North End after the end of his three month loan spell at Deepdale. Left back Neil Clement has also returned to Chelsea.

Ryan Kidd and Mark Rankine both played during Fulham's 3-0 victory over PNE, but they didn't look 100 per cent, giving Moyes more cause for concern.

The defeat at Fulham could be a blessing in disguise for North End because, out of the three sides Preston could have been up against, the tie against Gillingham is possibly the best that could have been asked for.

By slipping to fifth, North End have missed having to play either Manchester City and Wigan Athletic - both local derbies where form goes out of the window.

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