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No soft edge for PNE at Birmingham
Preston have promised not to be soft touches at St Andrew's tomorrow even if their promotion hopes are killed off before kick-off.
Alan Irvine's side would have only pride to play for in the big TV game if results go against them earlier in day.
But with Birmingham on the verge of an automatic promotion spot behind champions-elect Wolves, PNE have assured rivals Sheffield United, Reading and Cardiff they will be going all out for a win regardless.
"The other teams can rest assured we will be going out there to give a good account of ourselves," Irvine told the Evening Post.
"It is possible that by the time we kick off we may have nothing to play for. But we still have to go out and do a professional job.
"We are preparing for the game as we always do.
"Our lads have performed extremely well on television and we won't want to let ourselves down, or the supporters who will be making the trip down there. We will give it 100% – we would never play any other way."
St Andrew's is certain to be intimidating as the Blues go gunning for the win which would see them bounce straight back to the Premier League.
Even a draw would be enough if Sheffield United fail to beat Swansea at Bramall Lane in a 3pm kick-off.
But North End are only concentrating on their own situation with the results of Southampton v Burnley and Cardiff v Ipswich crucial to their chances of retaining any interest in the play-off places.
If Burnley win and Cardiff get at least a draw, then a top-six finish would be out of reach and it will be a case of back to the drawing board for next season.
But if either the Clarets or the Bluebirds get any less than that, then Preston would go into tomorrow's teatime match with everything still to play for.
Irvine has had no problem focusing his players' minds this week after Saturday's 6-0 destruction of Cardiff at Deepdale.
While the St Andrew's game will be massive for the home side, it will also be a huge milestone for PNE skipper Paul McKenna, set to break Sir Tom Finney's appearance record for the club with his 473rd game.
McKenna, 31, will lead Preston out more than 12 years after he made his first team debut as a teenager.
Full story in Friday's Lancashire Evening Post
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
