The big striker sat out Saturday's 11-0 win in Austria with an infected toe and it looked like he might be left on the sidelines again as Alan Irvine's players face a more testing workout against their two non-league neighbours.

But three days treatment appears to have done the trick with Brown included in the squad for Irongate.

The 6ft 3in targetman admits he is champing at the bit to get started again after reporting back from holiday still on a high from his first half-season at the club.

"I didn't want last season to finish because I was having such a wonderful time," said the 23-year-old who Alan Irvine rescued from his
Norwich nightmare in January.

"Now I can't wait for the new season to get going. I'm itching to play."
Brown hurt his toe at North End's training camp in Austria last week and the injury became infected.

It meant he had to watch from the sidelines as the rest of the club's strikeforce helped themselves to a hatful of goals against part-timers FC Erdal Hallein to kick-off their pre-season programme.

Neil Mellor got off to a flier with a hat-trick, with Brett Ormerod and Karl Hawley also getting on the scoresheet.

With competition among the quartet as keen as ever, Brown will be looking to make up for that lost opportunity when he partners Hawley tonight against Brig. Mellor and Ormerod will form the attack at Victory Park.

"I don't mind competition, it's good for the team," he added.

"Everyone knows we all start from scratch after the summer break so we have to perform in these pre-season games to get a place in the side on the opening day against Ipswich."

Click here for our live coverage of both games, live from Irongate and Victory Park.