On song: Preston North End's Jon Parkin

The lowdown Started out as a defender for his hometown club, Barnsley, before moving to Hartlepool and then rapidly on to York and Macclesfield, where he moved up front and scored a club record 26 goals in 2004-05. Joined Preston in 2008 after brief spells at Hull and Stoke. View from the terrace: What can you say about The Beast - 6ft 3in, 14st and uglier than a 100 quid parking summons. He already has five goals this season, including a hat-trick on Tuesday against Leeds. Gainly he is not but has a great touch for a big guy and Darren Ferguson has already described him as "unplayable" twice this season, as Neill Collins and Alex Bruce of Leeds found to their cost. I doubt if he'll ever get the call from Fabio Capello, but if you are a Championship centre-half and Preston are on your radar be prepared to be bullied and battle weary at the end of the game. John Roper, psg.me.uk