PNE aces need a breather

The Lilywhites have been down on numbers in recent games but the fortnight’s gap in the fixture list should see the shortage ease.

Joe Garner is now free from suspension and available for the derby clash with Blackburn a week on Saturday.

Injured pair Alan Browne and Paul Huntington should also be fit in time for the visit to Ewood Park.

Jermaine Beckford will use the break to further sharpen his fitness and build on the cameo substitute appearance he made against QPR.

North End boss Grayson said: “It is nice to have a bit of a break now.

“We have been down to the bare bones in numbers and not having a game should help us clear the injuries up.

“There is no better game to come back to after the international break than a local derby at Blackburn.

“We will have Joe Garner back for Blackburn and I would expect Alan Browne and Paul Huntington to be back for that too.

“I think everyone has been feeling it recently – we have played a few midweek games and not had everyone available for selection.

“The lads have run themselves into the ground and now is a time to freshen up and get ready to go again.

“Over the coming days, they will get some time off, as well as doing some work on the training ground to get ready for the Blackburn game.”

On the casualty front, Browne has missed three games with a strained hip flexor, while a calf strain kept centre-back Huntington on the sidelines against Bolton and QPR.

A two-game suspension for reaching 10 bookings ruled Garner out.

His availability, together with Beckford’s return and Eoin Doyle finding some form, gives Grayson plenty to mull over during the break when it comes to his striking options.

Although Garner has found goals hard to come by this season, his work rate and ability to bring others into play has often been praised by his manager.

Beckford will not be rushed back in order to try and avoid any setbacks in his return from knee surgery.

Grayson was careful to only give him a few minutes as sub against QPR.

If Beckford comes through two planned bounce games in the next two weeks, he could be in line for more involvement against Rovers.

Doyle has pushed his claim for a start after two goals as a substitute against Bolton and QPR.

Said Grayson: “I was pleased for Eoin, he has done well with his goals recently.

“He is a goalscorer but sometimes it takes a while for things to happen for a player at a new club.

“We have a lot of belief in Eoin, I see him in training and he is an excellent finisher.

“If he keeps scoring goals, he will get an opportunity.”