MICHAEL Appleton is expected to make his first start in two months when Preston travel to Burnley on Sunday.

The former Manchester United midfielder completed the full 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors training fixture earlier this week, much to the delight of physio Mick Rathbone.

A complex ankle injury has kept him out of the game since PNE played Luton in January. His return to action has been speeded up with the help of a specially designed inserts inside his boots which have helped make it easier for him to run.

PNE's physio said: "It has taken a while to sort out but it looks like we've got him back in contention.

"I think we have broken the back of the problem."

His return is a massive boost for Preston as they prepare to serve up the dish of the day in front of the Sky cameras at Turf Moor.

Preston knocked four past Burnley when they last met in November.

And with Preston's current flying form contrasting against Burnley's in the extreme - they have lost 6-0 and 5-0 in their last two games, prompting Burnley boss Sam Ternent to start considering his future - Preston will be hoping for more of the same on Sunday.

On-loan star Steve Basham, who will be staying an extra month at Deepdale, is expected to be fit again in time for the weekend after jarring his knee against Gillingham.

He returned to Southampton to receive treatment from his Premiership club's physio.

Paul McKenna, who sprained his ankle a fortnight ago, is also expected to be back.

But Gary Parkinson, who has been plagued with problems this season, will be out for another six weeks at least.

He was whisked down to a private hospital in Paddington, London, on Monday to undergo an MRI scan on a motion scanner - the only one in the country.

Parky's knee gave away 20 minutes into last month's tie with Reading.

Mick Rathbone added: "We needed to have a look at the motion picture from this scan because the still scans didn't identify the problem and he was showing no clinical signs as to what is happening."

The results are believed to have given the club a better insight into the problem with Mick confident that a long course of rehabilitation will solve the problem and eliminate the need for an operation.

Ryan Kidd faces another ankle operation, while Lee Cartwright will be out for another two to three weeks.

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