Daniel Johnson is set to have his fitness monitored ahead of Preston North End's trip to Huddersfield Town on Saturday after the midfielder picked up a foot injury following a tackle by Charlton's Naby Sarr on Sunday.

North End go into Saturday's game second in the league table after picking up their first away win since September last time out against Charlton Athletic.

It is understood that Johnson trapped a nerve in his foot following a tackle from Naby Sarr which resulted in Johnson being replaced in the 30th minute at the Valley.

Johnson, who is Preston's top scorer so far this season with eight goals, has started every league game for the Lilywhites since the second week of the season.

Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post on Tuesday, manager Alex Neil said: "We’ll explore it day by day. It was a kick which dragged down the back of his heel, so we will have to see how it settles."

As well as Johnson possibly missing out on the trip to West Yorkshire, Preston will be be without fellow midfielder Ben Pearson who will miss out through suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card in 14 games on Sunday.

Pearson, who was booked for dissent by referee David Webb on Sunday, will serve a one match ban.

It is the 24-year old's first suspension of the season, an improvement on last season where he had already been booked six times and sent off once after 14 games.

Pearson let Webb know his frustrations over a decision which saw Charlton player Beram Kayal only receive a yellow card for a foul on North End man Joe Rafferty.

Speaking of the yellow card, Neil said: "I’m disappointed with that one and I’ll speak to Ben about it, Ben has remonstrated with the referee but as I said to him there are ways and means of doing that."

With both Johnson and Pearson looking like they will miss out North End could call upon Ryan Ledson and Paul Gallagher to fill the void, the latter scored the winner in Sunday's game at Charlton.

The Verdict

It is no doubt a big blow Alex Neil to lose not just one but two key players in his midfield, so he will be hoping that Johnson will be deemed fit for the trip to Huddersfield.

I'm a fan of Neil's management and I admire the way he has spoken about Pearson's yellow card.

Discipline has let the midfielder down in the past and it will be disappointing that he was deemed to have gone over the top with the referee on Sunday which resulted in a yellow card.

As for Johnson, it will be a nervy week for North End as his fitness is assessed.

Their away form has arguably been the one downside to their season, with only two wins on the road this term, and the form table suggests the trip to Huddersfield will prove a stern test for the Lancashire side.