Cardiff City duo Aaron Wildig and Anthony Gerrard have recovered from knocks, but Warren Feeney will miss the game as his wife is due to give birth.
Mark Hudson, Stephen McPhail and Joe Ledley are out. David Marshall (knee) and Darcy Blake (virus) are doubtful.
MATCH PREVIEW
Cardiff, who lost 6-0 at Preston last season, have won only one of their last four league games but are still in the play-off places.
His team's stuttering form means that Dave Jones - the longest serving manager in the Championship - is now making a fourth attempt to pick up his 100th win as Cardiff boss.
Preston have also been struggling recently. They have lost their last two league games and conceded eight goals in the process.
Darren Ferguson's side have won only one of their last six matches and now face a Cardiff team that has won seven times away from home this season. Preston are 16th and could yet be dragged into a relegation battle.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Preston's 6-0 victory over Cardiff last season was not their biggest win against the Welsh club. That was a 9-0 triumph in May 1966.
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• The Bluebirds, who beat Preston earlier this season, have not completed a league double over them since the 1971/72 campaign.
Preston
• Preston have won three, drawn one and lost five of their nine league games under Darren Ferguson.
• North End have conceded 18 more league goals on the road than at home; 15 at Deepdale, 33 on their travels.
• Only leaders Newcastle have done the double over Preston so far this season.
Cardiff
• Cardiff's 14 league wins have been split equally home and away.
• They have opened the scoring in an unequalled 20 of their 31 Championship matches.
• Dave Jones' side boast the best strike rate in the division, with a goal scored on average every 3.39 shots on target (29%).
• Jay Bothroyd is a brace shy of 50 career league goals.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Cardiff 1-0 Preston (5 December 2009)
Cardiff scorer: Burke 55.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport