KURT Nogan hopes to return for injury-hit Preston at Gillingham tomorrow.

And having Nogan - last season's top scorer - back available would be a massive boost for manager David Moyes who has seen his side's form take a real dip.

The prolific Welshman, who sat out Tuesday night's Worthington Cup clash at Sheffield United with a sore heel, is feeling much improved and should return.

But fellow strikers Steve Basham and Michael Appleton won't be involved - they went under the knife yesterday for exploratory surgery on knee injuries.

Full back Dominic Ludden is also struggling after suffering a recurrence of a long-standing groin problem.

Skipper Sean Gregan is available after suspension and goalkeeper David Lucas looks set to be reinstated in place of Tepi Moilanen.

The squad is: Moilanen, Alexander, Ludden, Murdock, Jackson, Edwards, Cartwright, Rankine, McKenna, Macken, Eyres, Kidd, Eaton, M Wright, Darby, Lucas, Nogan, Gregan.

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