MICHAEL Jackson is ready to play through the pain barrier in Preston's Worthington Cup first round second leg at Wrexham tonight with North End 1-0 up from the first leg.

The influential defender sustained a cut above his eye in North End's 1-1 draw at Wycombe on Saturday.

Jackson - last season's player of the year - had stitches in the wound, but should keep his place alongside Colin Murdock in the starting line-up at the Racecourse ground.

New boys Farid Diaf (groin), Rob Edwards (back) and Adam Eaton (toe) have yet to figure in competitive action since signing on at Deepdale.

Last season's top scorer Kurt Nogan is tipped to partner Jon Macken up front with Steve Basham starting on the bench.

Squad: Lucas, Alexander, Murdock, Jackson, Kidd, Rankine, Gregan, Appleton, Eyres, Nogan, Macken, Basham, McKenna, Darby, Murphy, Edwards, Moilanen.

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