PRESTON North End hope to put their league woes behind them tonight as they aim to make it through another round of the Worthington Cup.

But their task couldn't be much harder - away to cup specialists Tranmere Rovers.

Despite admitting at Saturday's post-match press conference that he did not know what was causing such a poor run of performances, Moyes is determined to carry on training as normal.

He said: "We are training just as we did last year and I don't see any reason to change."

What might be of concern to Moyes is his strike-force. Most of the goals are coming from defence, and any more injuries up front would leave Moyes struggling up front.

Jon Macken's transfer request hasn't helped, and Moyes is already being forced to used Steve Basham as a sub even though he isn't fully fit.

It is fair to presume that the manager would be loathed to used Basham tonight. It was against Tranmere last year that Basham sustained the injury which has kept him out of action for 11 months.

That fact has not gone un-noticed by the players, with captain Sean Gregan recording the link in Saturday's matchday programme.

The captain also described the current injury crisis as the worst he has seen in his time at Deepdale. At one point, 14 players were in need of treatment.

That crisis eased slightly in time for Saturday's 2-1 defeat, but Iain Anderson and David Healy both collected knocks during the game.

Kevin Gallacher is also injured.

Macken, out with a hamstring, isn't believed to have been present on Saturday - Moyes' response to that question was short and sharp: 'Did you see him here?' - and the club have yet to announce whether they are prepared to accept the 24-year-old's transfer request.

If they do, then expect action on the transfer front soon.