Preston paid Oldham �500,000 for Neil Trotman in January

Preston defender Neal Trotman is to undergo a hernia operation and will miss the rest of his club's pre-season.

The 21-year-old, who made three appearances last season after joining from Oldham in January, will go under the surgeon's knife on Monday.

It leaves manager Alan Irvine with just two centre-backs for the new campaign, in Youl Mawene and Sean St Ledger.

Liam Chilvers is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles and is not expected to return until later in the year.