Brett Ormerod has signed for League One side Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season.

The striker has been restricted to substitute appearances in recent weeks and has been allowed to leave the club despite the hamstring injury to Craig Beattie, which will keep him out for several weeks.

Despite allwoing Ormerod to join Forest, Alan Irvine stated that the striker is still part of his future plans:

"I agreed that Brett could go out before I brought in Craig Beattie and I didn't feel as if I could go back on that. I hope that it proves to be a good move all round.

"It is not with a view to a permanent deal. Brett will be coming back here by the end of the season, if not after the 28 day period when we can bring him back at any time."

Irvine also revealed that he only made the move for Craig Beattie after Ormerod approached him asking to go out on loan.

"Brett Ormerod came asking If he could go out on loan, it was simply about making sure that we had sufficient numbers. I hadn't done anything about bringing anyone in on loan until I had come to that agreement with Brett."

Midfielder Joe Anyinsah will also be leaving the club on loan, moving to Crewe Alexandra until the end of the season.

After two consecutive clean sheets away from home, Preston's defence will have to be on their guard at the Valley. After fifth place Charlton signed Leroy Lita on loan in midweek.Irvine said:

"It was a tough place to go with Everton in the Premiership and I expect it will a tough place to go with Preston in the Championship. It's a good place to play football, a nice pitch and a nice stadium."

Richard Chaplow will undergo a late fitness test before a decision is made on his inclusion in the squad. The return of Callum Davidson from suspension poses a selection dilemma for Irvine at left back, with Matt Hill performing well in his absence:

"Callum is a really important player for the team and important for the squad. I will look at that, but I look at the team every week in great detail, I spend hours making the final decision on what team is going to play. The fact that Callum is coming back gives me a decision to make."