COLIN Hendry will wear his heart on his sleeve and his age on his back when he makes his debut for Preston North End at Deepdale.

The 36 year-old striker has been drafted to cover for North End's centre-half crisis, coming in for a month from Premiership Bolton.

But while his first game certainly won't stoke up the sort of tensions common when the Auld enemies meet, Scottish star Hendry knows there is no love lost between Preston and Birmingham, this weekend's opponents.

Preston, of course, sae off Birmingham City in the play-off semis last year amid much controversy over which end the penalties should be taken at.

Then, when North End hit Birmingham earlier this season and grabbed a 1-0 win, they helped see off manager Trevor Francis.

Things seem to have improved for Birmingham since, and they are now three points and two places above North End.

Once again, this is another must win game for North End - if they want to keep their promotion hopes alive and kicking.

Dickson Etuhu, scorer on Tuesday against West Brom, believes North End will make the top six.

And certainly the signing of Hendry will help settle a few nerves in the stand.

With Colin Murdock and Michael Jackson out injured at present, cover at the back has been thin on the ground.

Sean Gregan has done an excellent job at the back but after the Birmingham game is suspended for two games, thanks to his 10th yellow card of the season, collected at Chelsea.

That would leave North End with just Chris Lucketti and loan youngster Paul Reid available, although Rob Edwards has been known to come across if need be.

North End also welcome back Graham Alexander, who was suspended midweek. He is expected to go straight back into his right-back position, even though Adam Eaton, a former Everton youngster, did an admirable job.

Assuming Hendry plays, Gregan will probably push back into midfield, giving Moyes plenty of choice across the middle - even with Mark Rankine still out. Michael Keane, Paul McKenna, Dickson Etuhu, Lee Cartwight and Thordor Gudjonsson have all performed well lately.

Brum manager Steve Bruce has done a great job in turning around the club's season.

For both teams, this game could decide the way the season pans out, and as Hendry bluntly put it: "This is a big month for Preston."