PRESTON will be without striker Brian McBride for their trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow.

The American international injured his eye 15 minutes into his side's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Mexico.

"He is going to see a specialist in America, apparently his eye was fully closed, so he will not be at Crystal Palace although we hope he will be back for Tranmere on Tuesday," said North End manager David Moyes.

McBride must feel like he's walked under a ladder since he came to England from his club Columbus Crew in America six months ago.

The 28-year-old had to spend three months on the sidelines with a blood clot in his arm and in front of goal, despite vital contributions, he has got on the scoresheet just once.

His loan spell ends mid-March and Moyes is still hopeful of concluding a permanent deal with the MLS for McBride, who is thought to be valued at at least £1m. "We are moving in the right direction," was all the North End chief would say on the matter.

Preston have also had striker David Healy and defender Colin Murdock away on Northern Ireland duty this week but both came through the 4-0 loss to Norway.

It means Moyes almost has a fully fit squad to choose from with ankle victim Steve Robinson having a run out in the reserves midweek.

North End have won four of the last five games and are on the fringes of the play-offs.

"I think there will be four teams definitely in the top six -- Fulham, Bolton, Blackburn and Birmingham -- and there will be a scramble for the other two with hopefully us included," said the boss.

But the first hurdle now is to get past Palace who may too harbour hopes of a late charge for a top six spot with frontmen Clinton Morrison and Mikael Forssell rated as a potent strikeforce in the First Division.