JON Macken may want a Deepdale exit but the Preston management just want him to get a North End goal.

The transfer-listed striker had scored just once this season - in the Worthington Cup - and he desperately needs another with the hope that it will come tonight against high-flying Norwich at Deepdale.

"Jon needs a goal," said North End's assistant boss Kelham O'Hanlon. "All strikers go through patches and if you look back over the years, Jon has scored goals in batches. Once he gets one the others tend to follow and let's hope he gets more for Preston North End."

Macken scored 22 times last season to help Preston to the Play-Off Final and they don't want to lose the £4m rated forward.

"We do not want to sell him. Nothing would make us happier than Jon coming off the list," continued O'Hanlon.

"We do not want to sell our best players and with his goals, he is one of the stars.

"His goals over the last three years have got us where we are today. He has been fantastic for this football club which should not be forgotten.

"He won't be the first or the last player to hand in a transfer request.

"It's part and parcel of football and there is no problem with him."

North End are looking to build on a good 1-0 victory over Birmingham last Sunday - only their second win of the season.

"That was a bit more like us," admitted the assistant. "What has happened so far could be a fall out from last season. Who knows? But you can tell the lads are feeling better after Sunday.

"The crack was back in training on Monday.

"Now we need to put some results together. People only look at the left hand column, your position, but the right hand column is just as important, the points. Another three points can make you move up so quickly.

He continued: "But Nigel Worthington has put together a useful side at Norwich. They are flying high. It bodes well for a good game but it all depends on the night.

"We hope to play good football but at the end of the day, it's the result that matters."

There is something of a player crisis at Deepdale with skipper Sean Gregan and defender Colin Murdock suspended for tonight's match.

Midfielder Michael Keane, picked for the Republic Under 21 squad for the first time this week, is unlikely to recover from an ankle injury for tonight but should be fit for international duty.

Defender Chris Lucketti took a knock on his foot against Birmingham and that 'will go to the wire' while injury-haunted Steve Robinson has broke his toe.

"Robbo is terribly unlucky. He comes back from one injury and then gets another. But his attitude is spot on. He never lets it get to him."