Preston North End manager Graham Alexander is contending with a growing injury list after confirming that right-back Harry Clarke, striker Johnny Kenny and midfielder Liam Gibbs are all unavailable, adding further pressure to the Lilywhites' already difficult Championship campaign.

Clarke's knee blow the most concerning

The most significant setback concerns Clarke, 25, who was withdrawn at half-time during last weekend's Championship loss to Millwall at Deepdale. Alexander confirmed to BBC Radio Lancashire that Clarke hyper-extended his knee on landing and is now in a brace.

"Unfortunately, he's damaged his knee on his landing, hyper-extended it," Alexander said. "He's in a brace at the moment and he will be out for a little while. It's disappointing."

Clarke missed the midweek fixture against Birmingham and, while the lay-off is described as short term, there is no precise return date in sight. Losing a first-choice right-back at this stage of the season is a blow Alexander could ill afford as Preston continue their bid to ease themselves away from the bottom of the second tier.

Kenny and Gibbs add to the headache

The injury concerns do not stop with Clarke. Striker Kenny has yet to return to training, although Alexander expressed cautious optimism that he might be back on the training pitch by Friday. That would still rule him out of Saturday's home match, with the manager viewing a return this weekend as too soon for the forward to feature.

Gibbs, meanwhile, lasted only 24 minutes of Tuesday's 4-0 defeat to Birmingham before being substituted. The midfielder has since undergone a scan, with Alexander awaiting the results.

"He's been for a scan so we are waiting for confirmation on that but it's a muscle injury," Alexander said. "Fingers crossed he's not too bad but we don't know the full extent yet."

The timing is difficult for a Preston side already fighting on multiple fronts in the lower reaches of the Championship table. Three players carrying injury concerns within the space of a few days narrows Alexander's options considerably.

Potts in the frame but fitness cautioned

One potential solution at right-back is Brad Potts, 32, who featured for Preston's under-21 side on Friday after an extended absence. Potts is yet to make a first-team appearance this season, having managed only 16 Championship outings in 2025-26, and Alexander is keen not to rush the experienced player back into competitive action before he is truly ready.

"We asked him on Monday if he wanted to play in that under-21s game and he took that opportunity," Alexander explained. "We will see how he is again on Friday and keep assessing it but we need to understand where he is fitness-wise. When a player does come back, you want him back for good."

That note of caution is understandable. Rushing a player back prematurely only to sustain a fresh injury would compound Preston's current difficulties. Alexander will weigh Potts' readiness carefully before committing him to the starting XI.

Context: a critical moment for Preston

This cluster of injuries arrives at a delicate juncture. Alexander took charge of the Lilywhites relatively recently and has been working to instil organisation and confidence in a squad that has been wrestling with the wrong end of the Championship table. Defensive solidity in particular has been a priority, making Clarke's absence especially untimely.

With the season deep in its run and the relegation picture still far from settled, Preston need their key players available. For now, Alexander and his coaching staff must be creative in their team selection while monitoring the injury updates that are expected to become clearer by Friday.

Frequently asked

How long is Harry Clarke out for Preston?
Preston boss Graham Alexander has confirmed Clarke will be out for a short period after hyper-extending his knee. He is currently in a brace and has no precise return date, though the injury is not expected to be a long-term one.
Will Johnny Kenny play for Preston this weekend?
According to Alexander, Kenny is not yet training and is unlikely to be fit enough to feature in Saturday's match, even if he returns to the training pitch by Friday.
What is the injury to Liam Gibbs?
Gibbs suffered a muscle injury during Preston's midweek Championship fixture and has had a scan. Alexander said the club is awaiting the full results to determine the severity and likely time out.