Preston North End will be without top scorer Neil Mellor for three months after an operation on a knee injury, but on the positive side goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann has signed an 18-month contract at Deepdale.
Caretaker boss Graham Alexander confirmed on Friday that Mellor went under the knife in London on Thursday.
The former Liverpool striker picked up the injury in last weekend’s 1-0 win at MK Dons and it had been feared that he could be out for the season.
Alexander said: “When he first did it against MK Dons we were given a worst case scenario and a best case scenario, luckily it is slanted more towards the best case scenario.
“It is still a massive blow to the club because Mells is a fantastic player and all the lads respect him around the changing rooms.
“We are still going to have him around the place doing his rehabilitation but it has now given someone else an opportunity to step up to the plate.
“More than anything it is a shame for the player because he works hard to be fit for the games and obviously he is going to miss a chunk of the season.
“Me and Dave [Unsworth] both spoke to the head physio Matt Jackson and he informed us that Neil sticks to his rehab to the letter and listens to all the advice given to him from the medical side.
“That is why he is going to come back fitter and stronger and still have a part to play this season.”
In other news Stuckmann will stay at Deepdale until June 2013.
Stuckmann, 30, said: “I’m delighted to sign the deal and I think it’s a good Christmas present for me and for the club as well.
“I’ve enjoyed playing here over the last one-and-a-half months and now I’m looking forward to the next few games and to the next season."
Alexander continued: “Everyone at Preston will be delighted with the news that Thorsten [Stuckmann] has signed a contract with the Club.
“The big man has made a huge difference to the team and has played a big part since he came here.
“It isn't just the saves he has had to make but his presence and professionalism is first class.
“He has added a bit of steel to the back line and to get someone that good for 18-months is fantastic news for the Club.
“He is a fantastic team-mate to have and he has got a great mentality - his presence in the changing room is fantastic for other players to be around.”
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