DAVID Healy could be recalled from Norwich if any of Preston's on-song striking trio are hit by even the slightest injury.

Craig Brown has just three men to pick from up front following George Koumantarakis' injury which has ruled him out for the season.

And that bare-bones situation is replicated across the team, which is now down to 16 fit players following a fresh injury to Rob Edwards.

The left back suffered a knee ligament injury during training on Monday which could rule him out for the season.

In the meantime, youngster Tyrone Mears has been dropped into his place.

He could also have provided cover up front at a push.

Brown has confirmed that he will call Healy back if needs be.

Richard Cresswell, Pawel Abbott and Simon Lynch are all providing fire power upfront at the moment.

All three should have been on the score sheet against Coventry on Saturday, but the referee ruled Lynch's goal out.

Brown has a total of five players out on loan, and seven on the casualty list.

It means one thing is for certain -- the team which lost to Burnley on Tuesday is pretty much the team heading to Brighton this weekend.

The manager said: "We are right down to the bare bones now, but we did say we wanted to give our youngsters the chance to play before the end of the season and it looks like they will get it now.

"Rob certainly won't be ready for the next two games."

The last two games have seen a dip in Preston's performance.

Saturday's draw against Coventry was only thanks to a last-ditch Abbott strike, hit with his left foot, something he has been practising in training.

And following Tuesday's 2-0 defeat, Brown said: "We can certainly do better than that.

"Saturday's performance was not to the usual standard either."