Billy Davies believes the return from injury and suspension of several key players will be just the boost North End need to kick-start their season.

After managing just three points from the last five games, North End face a tricky match at Wolves.

They have been touted as promotion favourites and currently sit in sixth place with 20 points - four more than Preston.

Davies said: "I believe any team in this league is capable of beating whoever they face, it's that close.

"I was very pleased with Tuesday's performance in the way we battled. The spirit is there among the players and if we keep going, things will go our way."

David Nugent is among the North End players expected to return to first team duty at the weekend after a prolonged spell on the sidelines with a skin infection.

This will give a welcome boost to North End's strike force. None of Preston's last three goals have come from forwards and striker Danny Dichio has struggled leading to him being jeered at by some fans.

Dickson Etuhu has been out ill while Brian O'Neil's recovery from injury has been slow.

Keeper Andrew Lonergan is picking up match experience at Wycombe after nine months on the sidelines and forgotten midfielder Eric Skora is also pushing for a return.

And there is also pressure for the centre-half spots in the team, with Youl Mawene, scorer on Saturday, now back on form, and Claude Davis, back from his three match ban last Saturday, competing with Chris Lucketti.

Davies said: "It is a nice dilemma to have because it means you have got competition and that's what every manager wants and that's what we want in every position on the pitch.

"It's good that we are starting to get players back now, because we all know that we have been missing some key players.

"I'm not making any excuses but we will obviously be a better side when those players do return - the likes of Brian O'Neil and David Nugent and now Dickson Etuhu who has been out ill.

"The team spirit has been very good since I have been here and that is still very much the case. In the dressing room the players are together and on the training pitch.

"Confidence is still high and the players still have belief which is the important thing."