IAN Moore is targeting December's derby date with Preston for a comeback following knee surgery.

The Burnley striker went under the surgeon's knife this afternoon after struggling in recent weeks with a patella problem.

Early estimates are that Moore could be sidelined for up to two months - leaving just Robbie Blake as the only senior striker at manager Steve Cotterill's disposal.

But Moore aims to be back up and running within five weeks before building up his fitness levels in time for the trip to Deepdale on December 11.

The 28-year-old said: "I've been warned it could be six to eight weeks which means being out until Christmas, but I am the eternal optimist.

"Six weeks is about the average for this type of operation, but I will do my best to get back training earlier if at all possible

"I am telling myself four or five weeks because I remember having a hernia op at Stockport and I was back playing after three-and-a-half weeks.

"That was some kind of record, so I heal quickly.

"Looking at the fixtures, we play Preston at home early in December and that would be an early target once I've built my fitness up."

Moore, who has missed only a handful of games since joining Burnley in November 2000, added: "It's important I get back playing because I am out of contract at the end of the season and I need to be trying to seal a new deal."

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill said today: "It's got to the stage where Ian is going to have the operation and he'll be a big miss.

"I think anybody at the moment would be a big miss. But I don't know what else we can do about it."

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be the special guest at a spectacular fund-raising Celebrity Dinner at Turf Moor early next year.

Illness caused Ferguson to miss last year's emergency fund-raiser, held in a giant marquee at the club.

But the Reds boss has vowed to make up for that by spearheading a list of celebrities at next year's bash, which should also feature commentator John Motson and former Olympic world record holder Brendan Foster.