AS Malky Mackay prepares to pick his team ahead of tomorrow's (Saturday) game against Preston North End at Vicarage Road, the Scotsman has a few injuries to consider.

Missing out on the clash is Ross Jenkins, who had back surgery earlier this week after being forced to retire from the Sheffield Wednesday match two weeks ago.

"Ross Jenkins is out at the moment" Malky confirmed.

"It's something our medical team are looking at with a specialist at the moment, but we will be constantly updated on his situation, it's not something I can put a time on at the moment.

"It seems no sooner than we get one player back in, one comes out, but that's the way of things, you just have to get on with it."

Jay DeMerit is still on the road to recovery and the only other injuries the manager had to report were those to his goalkeepers, Richard Lee and Jonathan North.

North broke this thumb earlier in the season and is on the road to recovery, while the former defender revealed that Lee "isn't far away" from fitness.

"Richard's coming on and it won't be long before he's back" added the boss.

"But, it will still be young Jonathan Bond on the bench on Saturday, he's been doing great in training."

Lee: Not far away from a return

On a positive note, an encouraging substitution last Saturday at The Hawthorns saw Heidar Helguson return to the pitch.

Since injuring his calf back in September, the Iceland international had been in rehabilitation until last week but the striker now has 40 minutes match play and a full week of training behind him.

"To get Heidar on the pitch on Saturday and for him to do well was a big bonus.

Helguson returned to action against West Brom after a six game absence

"To have him out training this week everyday with us has been great.

"He's been called up for Iceland as well, so he'll be going away with them after the game on Saturday which means he can get more match fitness in so that's good news."

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