Preston without striker Brown for season's opener at Ipswich

11:15am Friday 8th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Preston North End will be without striker Chris Brown for what will be a testing Championship season opener at Ipswich Town.

Brown limped off with an ankle problem in last week's pre-season match against Everton but will be unavailable to face the Tractor Boys due to a different problem - this time with his hip.

Preston manager Alan Irvine said: “Chris has got a little bit of a problem that we aren’t quite getting to the bottom of, but we will keep working on it and hopefully he will be back soon.”

That means Alan Irvine will either look to replacement strikers Karl Hawley or Brett Ormerod to partner the prolific pre-season exploits of Neil Mellor up front.

Another option for the North End boss is to play Simon Whaley upfront; something he has tried in a couple of North End’s pre season games.

“I watched him (Whaley) playing for Bury up front when I was at Everton, so it is certainly an option.”

With Neil Mellor likely to be the focal point up front for Preston after his eight goals in pre season, Alan Irvine has said he is looking fit and sharp ahead of the new season.

“Without doubt Neil is fitter now than he has ever been. Eight goals in pre-season is a terrific return and that is the platform from which Neil can be successful.”

While Preston have only brought in two new faces over the summer it has been a different story for Ipswich Town who have strengthened their squad with no fewer than five players, including Ivan Campo, former Town keeper Richard Wright, Colchester striker Kevin Lisbie and Gareth McCauley from Leicester City.

As Magilton builds for a promotion drive, Preston manager Alan Irvine wouldn’t be drawn on making any bold statements about his team's own ambitions.

“What we do is set a target of 53 points and depending on how quick we reach that target will determine what further targets we set.”

With no new injury worries Preston fans seem to be brimming with optimism and anticipation ahead of what should be another gruelling but entertaining season in the championship.