Alexander hopeful Preston forward can return soon – but delivers more bad injury news after heavy defeat to Birmingham

Alexander hopeful Preston forward can return soon – but delivers more bad injury news after heavy defeat to BirminghamGraham Alexander has provided mixed injury news on Johnny Kenny, Harry Clarke and Liam Gibbs following Preston North End’s 4-0 defeat to Birmingham City.Kenny missed the game after pulling out of Saturday’s defeat to Millwall with a knock and was sent for a scan, with Alexander hopeful the problem may not be as serious as first feared.“Not at the moment, no,” Alexander said when asked for an update on Preston’s injured players.“Johnny, obviously they’ve all stayed behind while we travel down for the game, so fingers crossed, Johnny might be able to join in training later in the week.“Because of the game today, I’m just waiting for the news [on Kenny’s scan] in the morning.”There was less positive news on Clarke, who was forced off at half-time against Millwall and missed the defeat at Birmingham.“I don’t think Harry will [train], I think he’s out for a little while,” Alexander said.Preston’s injury problems worsened at St Andrew’s when Gibbs was forced off after just 24 minutes with a quad issue.“I think he felt his quad,” Alexander said.“He felt his quads. So, yeah, unfortunately, I think he’ll be out for a little while.”