North End are waiting to see if their approach to Celtic midfielder Stephen Pearson will succeed in helping to ease a looming midfield crisis.

With Dickson Etuhu now signed for Norwich, and Adam Nowland out for the season, ironically after breaking his leg after an horrendous tackle by Etuhu playing against the Canaries at the weekend, North End's midfield options have suddenly been reduced.

David Jones' loan spell from Manchester United has not been extended either, leaving Preston boss Billy Davies with just one fit central midfielder, Brian O'Neil, available for Saturday's FA Cup match.

Graham Alexander and Callum Davidson have filled in so far - but Davies hopes to see his midfield bolstered with a deal for Pearson.

The Scottish 23-year-old has been a long-term target for Davies, and the club has confirmed talks are on going but no deal has been done.

But injuries at Celtic could delay a deal.

Davies told the club's website: "He is a player I know very well from our time together at Motherwell and I would love to see him playing at Deepdale.

"We have a lot of gaps to fill and we really need to try and do something quickly because of the injuries we have and the people who have left the club. There is a lot of work to be done.

"But we want to make sure we bring in the right kind of players, who strengthen the squad.

"There has been change and turmoil for us but we have an excellent group of players and we will go into the next game and do the best we can.""

Etuhu became the latest player to leave Deepdale when he signed a permanent deal at Carrow Road which could net North End up to £550,000.

In 149 appearances for North End, he scored 18 goals but never really established a first team place.

He was also reponsible for the horror challenge which has ruled Adam Nowland - who netted twice in the last two games - for the season.