NORTH End look set for their second sell-out of the season as they look to make it seven games without defeat at Deepdale on Thursday night -- and manager David Moyes faces a nice slection problem of who to play up front.
He will have to make do without the services of inspired keeper Tepi Moilanen, whose early muscle-pull injury during Saturday's 6-0 demolition of lowly Stockport County has left him in the treatment room all week.
But the real headache for Moyes ahead of tonight's Barnsley game is who to start with up front.
Youngster David Healy had a blinder of a game on Saturday, scoring the first three goals -- North End's first hat-trick since 1996.
Then Richard Cresswell went on to score one after coming on as a sub.
This took his goal tally for last week to three thanks to his efforts against Coventry.
Yet it was Jon Macken who had a quiet game on Saturday -- something which is bound to leave Moyes pondering on his ideal starting line-up.
And -- believe it or not -- the boss expects his team to perform better tonight than they did on Saturday.
He said: "That was not the best performance I have seen.
"We have played better and will play better in the future.
"There is more to come from Dave, he is just a wee baby at the moment but it is good to see him score goals."
The victory on Saturday took North End up to seventh place, just five points off the top spot.
In contrast, Barnsley remain rooted to the bottom end of Division Two, having taken only 13 points all season.
Moyes added: "Our intention remains the same, to go out and collect three points from every game.
"I just hope we haven't used up all our goals.
"It was a taught decision to stick with the two of them (Healy and Macken), and I am pleased Richard has come on and scored again."
Tonight's match marks the official opening of the new Alan Kelly Town End, with a series of events arranged before kick-off.
The man himself gave the stand the thumbs-up when he viewed it on Tuesday.
And its opening is set to be seen by a capacity crowd. Much of the Bill Shankly Kop has been given over to local school children, while other tickets have been sold for just a fiver.
The reason for the choice of evening for the game is that ITV Digital will be screening the big match live.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article