MARK RANKINE should make a return to the starting line-up at Rotherham on Saturday as North End look to put their defeat against Burnley behind them.

The midfield maestro missed Sunday's Lancashire derby after damaging a hamstring in training.

According to boss David Moyes, Rankine was near enough fit for the big game at the weekend but the club chose to rest him to save risking a long term injury.

Unfortunately, things aren't looking so bright for Richard Cresswell. North End's top scorer also pulled a hamstring when he stretched out for the ball in front of goal early on during Sunday's 2-3 defeat.

He could be out for up to three weeks, leaving Moyes sweating on his fitness in the run up to the crucial Christmas period.

Both Rankine's and Cresswell's change in injury status could lead to Moyes' hand being forced on how he lines up his team for the away trip to Rotherham.

After playing 4-3-3 at the weekend, North End might revert to their familiar midfield line-up.

Although Steve Basham played much of the game at the weekend, Moyes has little in striker cover now that Cresswell has joined Kevin Gallacher on the sidelines.

David Healy, who will probably line up alongside Jon Macken, said: "We had a few good chances on Sunday and should have taken them, but we will take the positives out of the game and take it out on Rotherham next week! We were 2-0 down and you cannot afford to do that against a top of the league team like Burnley." Moyes added: "We have been drawing a lot of games lately so if we win at Rotherham it will have been better than getting two draws out of the two fixtures."

Moyes has yet to comment on the forthcoming Brighton fixture in the FA Cup.

But for the fans, it means much of Christmas and the New Year will be spent on the road.

Following the home game against Grimsby in a fortnight, Preston face trips to Wolves, Wimbledon and Brighton with just one home fixture in four - at home to Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Day.