PRESTON aim to make it a hat-trick of wins as they bid to continue their charge up the First Division table when they take on Sheffield United tonight at Deepdale.

Boosted by victory over Sheffield Wednesday and Sunday's 2-1 win against Manchester City, North End couldn't go into the game in a better mood.

But defender Graham Alexander knows the Blades will provide another tough proposition.

"Neil Warnock's sides have always been physical so we know what sort of thing to expect, but we've done well against them before so, hopefully, we can do it again.

"I didn't play in the away game last season, because I was injured, but the lads said they were unlucky and should have won that day and we know it will be a tough test."

United also have in their ranks striker Carl Asaba who, in his Gillingham days, always managed to get a goal against Preston.

"Hopefully, he hasn't taken that luck with him to Sheffield United," Alexander told the club's official web-site.

"We know he's a good player, strong and fast, but we play against good players every week, so we are not going to have special cause for concern against him, but we know what we can do."

Manager David Moyes has no new injury doubts with Paul McKenna continuing his comeback after returning for the victory over City.

Meanwhile, Nancy midfielder Eric Skora has signed a contract at Deepdale until the end of the season with a view to a longer deal after impressing on trial.