North End boss Billy Davies has warned his side not to get carried away by one of the most impressive statistics in football this season.

North End are now unbeaten in 19 matches an achievement which has impressed the manager who had to warn fans not to expect too much at the start of the season.

North End haven't lost since September, when they fell 3-0 to Mike Newell's Luton at Kenilworth Road.

Davies had warned that, following last season's play-off final heartache, this season would likely be a 'transitional' one as he set about building an improved squad.

Those comments had been partly provoked by the departure of winger Eddie Lewis and striker Richard Cresswell, both of who left for Leeds within weeks of each other.

Along with a catalogue of injuries, not least a second long-term knee problem for keeper Andrew Lonergan, Davies had warned fans not to expect a repeat of last season's late push for the play-offs.

Many managers use injury and illness as an excuse, but Davies is one of the few who would have been able to justify the complaint.

David Nugent was out for nine weeks, Brian O'Neil is only just struggling back to fitness and Callum Davidson is also out after an inspired period on the left of midfield.

The problems in midfield had been so chronic that Graham Alexander has been drafted in to play in the centre.

But despite those problems, North End find themselves unbeaten in 19 games and sitting in sixth place in the league.

Davies said: "I've said for a long time now that our most important job is to rebuild.

"We are going through this transition, we've managed to come through it and keep ourselves on the up, which has been good.

"There have been lots of changes, lots of players missing through illness and injury, the short rest period in the summer didn't help us but I think the achievement so far has been excellent, considering what we've been through but there's a long way to go."

His side face Crystal Palace twice in four days, first in the FA Cup on Saturday and then in the league on Tuesday. Both games are at Deepdale.

And Saturday's game could be North End's toughest test yet. Both Paul McKenna and David Nugent will be missing through suspension, while Brian Stock and Simon Whaley, North End's new signings are cup tied.

Davies reckons with injuries added to that list, he may only have 16 players fit for Saturday.

That's why he's busy trying to sign up a third transfer-window player before the game, hopefully one who hasn't already figured in the cup.