PRESTON are still remaining tight-lipped regarding the latest rumour circulating around the club -- that of the signing of Ivory Coast international Hamed Diallo who has been put on the transfer books by the second-string French side Le Havre.

Recent newspaper reports from the continent suggest that the striker could very soon be on his way to Preston to start a loan deal which could keep him at Deepdale until the end of the season.

Diallo has been playing regular international football alongside Ibrahim Bakayoko and Olivier Tebily and was part of the Ivory Coast squad which took part in the 2000 African Nations Cup held in Nigeria and Ghana earlier this year.

Another major bonus for boss David Moyes is the news that American international loan signing Brian McBride is expected back to Preston to resume light training.

The 28-year-old US striker is said to be flying back to Deepdale soon following life-saving surgery for a blood clot in his arm. Preston travel to the Midlands on Saturday (November 4) hoping to put the disappointment of last Friday night's home match with Barnsley firmly behind them. The away match against Nottingham Forest will prove, once again, another tough encounter for David Moyes' side -- although there is no firm news from Deepdale that all players got through Friday's match unscathed.

Striker Jon Macken should again be Preston's main threat alongside Icelandic Bjarki Gunnlaugsson who played some neat first-touch football on Friday even though coming on late in the day.

Both Iain Anderson and Colin Murdock are expected to be available for the trip to Forest -- even though Murdock needed 10 stitches for a head injury picked up against Barnsley.

Steve Basham is now up and about on crutches following his horrific leg-break.

Preston have brought forward their reserve match against Birmingham on November 13 to a 2pm kick-off.

Also, the Avon League fixture against Barnsley on Monday November 20, which was to be played at Deepdale, has now been changed to an away fixture.