RICARDO Fuller is expected to return to Preston's starting line-up as the Lilywhites face the Clarets at Deepdale tomorrow tea-time.

The former Hearts striker has been impressive since his move south of the border and he has now completed his three-match ban after being dismissed at Bradford City.

His return to the starting line-up can't come soon enough for boss Craig Brown. Robbed of the Jamaican for three games, he has also had to cope with injuries to his other two first choice strikers as well.

Both David Healy and Richard Cresswell have been carrying knocks, Healy's in the form of a septic blister picked up while away on international duty and Cresswell was thought to have broken his foot.

The former England Under-21 star has netted in both of the last two games but has done so with his head.

Pawell Abbott, who played against the Clarets in a pre-season friendly at Bury, has been called back from his loan period and was a sub at Portsmouth on Tuesday night while young prospect Tyrone Mears appeared in a striking role when he came on as a sub against Reading on Saturday.

Brown believes that Fuller is still only about 80 per cent and so the best is still to come from him.

The big decision for the former Scotland boss is whether to opt for the 4-4-2 style of play that the fans seem to prefer or sick with 3-5-2.

It may depend on whether Rob Edwards can shake off the knock that he collected at Fratton Park.

If he is out, Marlon Broomes, a transfer target for Burnley in the summer, may feature at left back instead of in a back three."

But Brown is aware that the Clarets attack was on fire the other night and he will be keen for defensive errors to be put behind them.

"We went into the Portsmouth game with a plan and it worked," he said. "The players were first class in the first 20 minutes and we have to build on that again this weekend against Burnley."