St Ledger boost for North End

Preston boss Darren Ferguson looks set to be boosted by the return of Sean St Ledger for the home clash with Portsmouth.The highly-rated Republic of Ireland international has yet to play this term after suffering a hamstring strain in the pre-season friendly at Oldham.However, he has trained this week and seems certain to bolster a North End defence that has shipped six goals in their opening two matches of the season.Fellow centre-back Wayne Brown, a summer signing from Leicester, has yet to make a league appearance for Ferguson`s side.He suffered a hip-flexor injury in pre-season and then picked up a slight calf strain. Midfielder Barry Nicholson remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from a leg injury.