WING wizard Eddie Lewis is facing a second operation as he battles to overcome the hernia injury which has wrecked his season.

Reports that the American international could be about to make a shock return to the first team before the end of this term now seem very wide of the mark.

Although Lewis had begun running again in training this week the club has now revealed he is due to return to his specialist after complaining of pain on his left side.

Club physio Andrew Balderston confirmed: "The hernia operation on Eddie's right side was a complete success and if that was the only problem then he could have been back training.

"But he had complained of a problem on his left before this operation which has continued.

"We will have to see a specialist later this week now to check out the problem and see what course of action to take."

Preston have decent cover on the left-wing with Lee Briscoe and Rob Edwards. On-loan Jeff Smith also looks comfortable there.

That is more than can be said about the striker situation. Once again, David Healy and Ricardo Fuller will be missing from action this weekend.

Fuller serves the last match of four-game ban when Preston travel to Wimbledon.

Richard Cresswell and Simon Lynch will be the expected strike force to start. Both came close to scoring last weekend.

The sale of Pawel Abbott to Huddersfield last month has left North End short in cover up front now.

And there could be further bad news for Brown as he looks to keep hold of his youngsters.

A week after Eric Skora, on loan at Kilmarnock, made noises about staying north of the border, young striker Kelvin Langmead has hit a similar note.

Langmead, 19, has been on loan at Third Division club Carlisle since February and his agent, Clive Hart, says the youngster would be happy to stay at the Cumbrian club if they beat the drop.

He said: "Kelvin is one of a chosen few Preston have decided to keep by offering professional contacts, but he is a long way from playing in their first team at the moment.

"There is a good chance they will let him go out on long term loan next season and Carlisle will be in pole position.

"However, the chances of a first team start for Carlisle are also tough with Langmead facing competition from three other players."