FRENCHMAN Farid Diaf could be the key to Preston's success in the league and the cup as he prepares to put the club before his Gaelic looks.

Following an appearance on the subs' bench during Tuesday's FA Cup win against Enfield at St Albans, Diaf could be set for a shock return to the team - hopefully for a full game.

The unlucky Frenchman has been dogged by injury since arriving at Deepdale in the summer. After recovering from a freak pre-season training accident which ruled him out of the opening games, Diaf took a clattering to the face against Colchester, which resulted in a depressed fracture underneath his right eye.

He underwent one operation to repair the damage but when he was told he would need a plate fitted to his face he politely declined, saying he would rather risk losing his looks than losing the chance to play at Preston permanently.

He has already played reserve action and will no doubt be itching to get back on to the field and give fans a larger dose of the Gaelic flair they got a whiff of during his short stints on the pitch.

Diaf's eagerness to play will come as some consolation to manager David Moyes who, far from basking in the glory of his team's current league position, is sweating over forthcoming suspensions ahead of the double header with Oldham.

Oldham arrive at Deepdale on Saturday in the league, hoping to halt Preston's extended unbeaten run. Captain Sean Gregan is suspended for the second time this season, this time for clocking up five yellow cards.

The following weekend, Oldham return to Deepdale, this time in the FA Cup, with Michael Appleton missing after he picked up two yellow cards in a reserve match.

Diaf will provide more than adequate cover for both, but Moyes isn't expecting an easy ride.

He said: "Both games will be hard ones, but we are concentrating on the league."

But the very fact North End are featuring in the third round of the cup will come as something of a relief to both Moyes and his assistant Kelham O'Hanlon.

Speaking after the game, Moyes said: "This was one more game than I wanted to played because we should have seen them off at Deepdale.

"We were more cutting out there but we still missed chances and I thought we were in for a repeat of last week.

"Once we got the first goal, we looked comfortable and I am glad Bjarki (Gunnlaugsson) is off the mark."

However, O'Hanlon believes the replay has made sure the players have kept their feet on the ground.

He said: "To be honest it might have been a blessing in disguise. The players could not have reacted any better than they have to that kick in the pants.

And as for the league, Kelham said: "It means nothing unless we are there in May."

Mark Rankine and Lee Cartwright are doubtful for Saturday, while Michael Jackson's injury scare seems to have been just that.

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