Preston North End midfielder Paul Gallagher expected to return after illness to face Queens Park Rangers

Gallagher, 35, missed the 2-0 defeat at Fulham last week because of illness but was expected to train on Thursday morning.

He had travelled with the squad to Fulham but returned home on the morning of the game after feeling unwell.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday morning, Neil said: "Gally should be fine, he'll train today and we will see how he is."

Ben Pearson will be missing from the squad again having suffered a hamstring injury in the West Bromwich Albion game.

He is expected to be sidelined for a month.

Neil explained the severity of the injury to the muscle wasn't the main issue, more so where in the hamstring the damage is.

"It is just one of those niggles you pick up," said Neil.

"Ben felt a bit of discomfort in the West Brom game but not something where he needed to come off the pitch.

"We got the scan done just in case and it came back with the bad news.

"It is more where it is than anything else because it is next to where the tendon is.

"That is probably more of the issue,, it is not the severity of the injury but where it is.

"If it gets worse it can be a lengthy lay-off so we have to be careful."