PRESTON North End may have to step into the transfer market amid fears that their first choice keeper will be out of action until Christmas.

Finnish international Tepi Moilanen has missed the last two league games through injury and speculation has been growing amongst the North End army of support as to when he will be returning.

Reports from Deepdale suggest that the giant 23-year-old keeper has a back injury which has been aggravated in recent weeks and that club officials are currently awaiting feedback from specialists to the extent of his injury.

It is hoped that the report will reveal only nominal injury which could be cured with rest and manipulative exercise.

But until this is confirmed, supporters must sit tight and hope this is not the end of the talented lad's promising footballing career.

Tepi was replaced at Queens Park Rangers at the weekend and at Birmingham City on Tuesday, by reserve keeper David Lucas.

And with only assistant manager Kelham O'Hanlon as support for Lucas, Preston may well now be forced to buy in order to bolster their bid to maintain their position with the early season pace-setters in Division One.