NORTH End were today waiting to see if Colin Hendry would be fit for this weekend's game - with concern growing that they could be facing another centre-half crisis.

Hendry limped off after 44 minutes at the New Den with what is believed to have been a strained calf muscle.

For North End, his injury could be very bad news - he was, of course, the man drafted in to sure up the defence after a spate of injuries left centre-half cover thin on the ground.

If his injury does rule him out of Preston's Saturday clash with Rotherham at Deepdale, Moyes will have little choice on what to do - and it could make a massive difference after last Saturday's rock-solid performance against Birmingham City.

Sean Gregan can't drop back this weekend as he is still suspendedm while Michael Jackson is still a long way from full fitness, as is Colin Murdock. That leaves just youngsters Paul Reid and Adam Eaton to choose from.

And the news isn't much better upfront. With the sale of Jon Macken, all of a sudden North End's striking options have been reduced. Richard Cresswell, David Healy and Steve Basham are the three fighting for places, with Kevin Gallacher still recovering from injury.

But Basham was also injured against Millwall, leaving Moyes' plans very up in the air.

Moyes said: "We think Colin has strained his calf

"We don't know how long it will be at this moment, we'll wait for the assessment.

"Steve took a knock to his thigh and it looks as if it's quite sore and again we'll assess it."

The message Moyes seems to be putting over to his team is to think about what they do before they do it.

He is insistent the better team lost in London on Tuesday, with North End creating nearly 30 openings on goal - of which they tucked away just one.

Moyes added: "We had the ball in and around their box numerous times in the first half and we chose to shoot rather than pass, or pass when we should have shot and it was our decision making more than anything that disappointed me.

"We got in some great positions and passed the ball and never looked under any threat at all."

Three points are essential against 18th-placed Rotherham on Saturday. They beat North End 1-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

But the game comes as David Lucas seems to hit a bit of a purple patch. Two clean sheets against two of the top sides in the last three games - both of which were home ties - bodes well for the weekend.

He accepts that one mistake by him could cost North End dear but says he prefers to think of himself as a possible hero.

He said: "I think it's all about confidence. You are better of thinking that you could be the one who is the hero, then you usually do quite well."