Another different line-up and another victory left the boss no closer to deciding which XI should start against Ipswich in less than three weeks' time.

"If I had to pick my team tomorrow I don't know what it would be," he said after goals from Sean St Ledger, Karl Hawley and Neil Mellor saw off Morecambe with more than a little to spare.

"But that's good because so many players are throwing their hats in the ring to be selected."

Irvine promised to wipe the slate clean at the end of last season and give everyone a fresh start.

By the end of Tuesday's home game with Everton all the senior players, bar a handful carrying injuries, should have spent an equal amount of time on the field.

Just what they have done with that time will determine who plays and who watches at Portman Road.

Right now Irvine insists it is too close to call in many positions, especially as North End have not been unduly troubled by any of their lower standard opponents, scoring 17 and conceding none.

But that is expected to change against Everton, Carlisle, Motherwell and Crewe.

Morecambe, League Cup winners at Deepdale 11 months ago, were almost nonchalantly brushed aside at Christie Park.

The Shrimps were potted by three goals in the first 23 minutes. And, although Sammy McIlroy's side offered more resistance in the second half, they never really threatened to get back in the game.

Preston hit the woodwork twice and found keeper Barry Roche is in impressive form.

The summer signing from Chesterfield denied Darren Carter, Mellor, Paul McKenna and Chris Brown to keep the scoreline down.

"We could have scored more and should have scored more," said Irvine.

"That was the only disappointing thing for me, that we didn't take more of our chances."

Morecambe: Roche, McCann, Bentley (Parrish 62), McStay (Artell 46), Howard, Stanley (Drummond 46), Turner (Hunter 39), Carr (Blinkhorn 46), Wainwright, O'Carroll, Curtis. Unused sub: Davies.

PRESTON: Lonergan (C Neal 78), Jones (Hary 75), Mawene
(Davidson 75), St Ledger, Hill, Anyinsah (L Neal 67), Jarrett (Chaplow 72), Carter (McKenna 72), Sedgwick (Nicholson 67), Mellor (Brown 61), Hawley (Ormerod 61). Unused sub: None.

Attendance: 1,674.