Preston captain Ian Ashbee to miss the season opener
Last updated on .From the section Football
Preston captain Ian Ashbee has revealed he is set to miss North End's opening match of the League One season against Colchester on Saturday.
The 34-year-old has not featured once during the Lilywhites' pre-season programme because of a knee problem.
Ashbee told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I've just aggravated something in my knee and it needed to be settled down.
"I've been running three or four days now and if there is no reaction in the following week I should be good to go."
Ashbee says his injury has come at the wrong time with the North End desperate to start their League One campaign positively.
He said: "I'm more frustrated now because having such a young squad and new boys coming in I want to show them what we're all about.
"It's been disappointing but I will get there eventually. Maybe not for the start of the season but it's a long season. There could be 50 or 60 games to play. I'll just take my time now and hopefully in a few weeks I can be ready."
