Preston North End have been dealt a massive injury blow with the news that Ben Pearson will miss the next month of the season.
The influential midfielder is a key player for Preston but was forced to sit out Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Fulham after picking up a hamstring strain in last week's loss to West Bromwich Albion.
With Preston sat just two points ahead of Bristol City in the race for the play-offs, the news will come as a blow to the Deepdale side.
Speaking to the Lancashire Post, Preston boss Alex Neil admitted it was disappointing to lose the 25-year-old.
He said: "The last week has been frustrating and this capped it off really. Losing at West Bromwich was frustrating, then we found out Ben is probably going to be missing for the next month.
"We then went to Fulham, score an own goal and give away to someone else.
"It is a hamstring, he felt it against West Brom and we didn't think it was going to an issue.
"We sent him for a scan hoping to just tick the box and that he'd be okay.
"But the scan came back to show he an issue with his hamstring."
The combative midfielder averages almost two tackles and two interceptions a game and is key to breaking up play in the Preston midfield.
Assuming Pearson is out for exactly a month, he will miss fixtures against QPR, Luton Town, Cardiff City and Derby County.
Preston then face a tough run of games in April, when they are due to face Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Birmingham City.
Bristol City then host Preston in the final match of the season on May 2 in what could be an all-important play-off decider.
