INJURY prone French midfielder Farid Diaf has been ruled out of action AGAIN.

This time, the troubled foreign import has been hit by an Achilles injury, which has forced him off the training pitch and back into the treatment room.

The news comes as a massive blow to manager David Moyes, who is desperate to unleash his continental find on an unsuspecting Division Two.

But while both manager and player admit to being frustrated, Diaf has been boosted by the club's decision to extend his contract until the end of the season.

Moyes said: Farid has been very unlucky. We think he will be out for a few weeks yet.

"He is getting frustrated but that is what you expect. You worry more when a player who isn't playing doesn't get annoyed at not playing." Since arriving at Preston, Diaf has been limited to just three starts. He pulled his groin muscle in a freak accident on the eve of the new season, which ruled him out until November.

He then played less than half a game before collecting a depressed fracture below his left eye after colliding with a Colchester player. Bravely, the opted out of beauty-saving treatment to pursue a first team place.

After playing in the Autowindscreen ties against Wrexham and Hartlepool, Diaf was hoping to push for league start, but he is now back in the treatment room recovering from this latest set back.

Along with Steve Basham, he is probably the unluckiest player North End have at the moment.

Basham, however, is on the road to recovery after damaging his ankle.

Visits to the hospital have become a regular thing for Moyes and his team. Fringe player Paul Morgan is recovering after having a piece of bone out of a toe, while Brian Murphy has undergone a second cartilage op - this time on his other knee.

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