WALSALL hit the ground running this season, providing the shock result of the day when they beat Midlands rivals West Brom 4-1 on the opening day.

But for Colin Lee, even with the services of former Arsenal striker Paul Merson, it has been downhill all the way since.

They have not won since, and have just six points to show for their efforts so far.

And with a midweek effort against Bolton in the Carling Cup behind them, Lee's threadbare squad will have to work hard to contain goal-crazy Preston.

Merson will probably miss Saturday's game through an ankle injury, but Walsall do have on-loan Deon Burton from Portsmouth at their disposal for Saturday.

For Lee, he hopes the new addition will solve his side's goal drought.

He said:"We lost Junior (their Brazilian striker who scored during North End's 3-3 thriller at the Bescot last season) over the summer and we've been trying hard to replace him.

"We've just got to get on with it but it doesn't take a genius to see we are lacking an end product."

North End whacked five past Walsall at Deepdale towards the end of last season, and fought back from 3-0 down to grab a point earlier in the campaign.