Preston boss Alan Irvine is confident he will have his first-choice central defenders available for tomorrow's game.

Sean St Ledger and Youl Mawene have struggled for much of the pre-season with injury but should be in contention to face Bristol City.

Republic of Ireland international St Ledger sat out the final two friendly fixtures against Wigan and Hibernian with a thigh strain. And Mawene did not kick a ball in the warm-up programme after tearing his hamstring during a training camp in Austria. Irvine said: "Youl started training when we were in Scotland and Ledge worked with the physio this week.

"I'd expect both to be in contention for the weekend. I think it is a position we can probably get away with a wee bit more.

"Youl is a fit lad anyway, he was in great condition before he picked up the hamstring injury. I think he will be able to slot back in without too many problems."

Beaten play-off semi-finalists last season, North End could be weakened by the departure of captain and midfield dynamo Paul McKenna, who joined Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee during the summer break. Winger Simon Whaley departed for Norwich City and defender Chris Neal moved to League Two Shrewsbury Town.

Irvine signed Macedonian international Veliche Shumulikoski from Championship rivals Ipswich to replace McKenna, while mercurial winger Paul Parry arrived from Cardiff City. Both are expected to line-up against City.