CONFIDENCE restored, Preston are now ready to see if they can make it four wins on the bounce and continue their surge up the Division One table when they make the tough trip to Portsmouth tomorrow.

With victories over Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City and Sheffield United in the bag, manager David Moyes admits nothing has changed at Deepdale except the morale.

"We are not doing anything different from when we took over three years ago," said the boss. "We preach the same things and encourage them to do the same the things.

"Obviously, the players were lacking a little bit of confidence at the beginning of the season but now they look full of confidence.

"I have looked at the table and at the moment we've got ourselves up to the middle and we want to try and be in a good position around the turn of the year. We'll see what happens from there.

"I think it is important to be there if possible around that period and I think that a lot of teams will be involved.

"Last season people tended to think that when Fulham played, they would win whereas this season anyone can beat anyone else."

He has been boosted by transfer-listed Jon Macken's recent form with six goals in six games and his strike partner David Healy has now chipped in with two in two.

"In the opening few weeks, the strikers couldn't get the goals that we wanted but they are playing better, as are the team, which benefits the forwards as well," said Moyes.

North End will be without left back Rob Edwards who came off in the 2-1 win over the Blades.

"Rob has broken ribs and a slight puncture to the lung so he will probably be out for three to four weeks with that. He doesn't feel too bad - it is similar to the injury Graham Alexander had last season but not as bad.

"It is a blow because Ryan Kidd is out as well with a rib injury."