FRENCH midfielder Eric Skora is set to miss tonight's trip to Birmingham as Preston go in search of Worthington Cup glory.

Skora, was had made the right-of-midfield role his own since Craig Brown's arrival at Deepdale, suffered a knee injury and was substituted on Saturday against Burnley.

But Brown has revealed he wants to make as few changes as possible when he puts together his team sheet for tonight's game at Birmingham.

That should mean Ricardo Fuller overcomes his niggling knee injury in time for the game - although Brown said yesterday he would rather drop Fuller tonight if it guaranteed he would be fit in time for Saturday's league game at Millwall.

Tonight's game presents Birmingham with the first opportunity since the infamous play-off semi at Deepdale two years ago to halt a Preston attempt on Cardiff.

Back in 2001, a dispute over which end the penalties were being taken at prompted then boss Trevor Francis to march his Blues players off.

It is often said that decision cost his side a victory, because it unsettled them before the spot kicks were taken.

Birmingham have since made promotion and have proved to be one of the surprise packages of this season, making an impact on the premiership when many thought they would struggle.

Rob Edwards was the last North End player to score at Birmingham.