MIDFIELD maestro Mark Yeates is ready and willing to shoulder the burden for City again – as long as it doesn’t keep popping out.

Phil Parkinson will run a late check on the Irishman before naming his side to face Gillingham.

Yeates’s left shoulder temporarily moved out of its position early on in the Preston game but it did not prevent him from scoring the dramatic late-winner to stun Deepdale.

It has been an intermittent issue for over a year since Yeates first suffered the problem in the opening home game of last season against Carlisle.

He has not been able to train so far this week and Parkinson will assess the situation closely. Yeates, currently enjoying a rich vein of form, is a key figure.

Parkinson said: “Yeatesy has got a lot of confidence in his own ability and always makes himself available for the ball.

“There are different types of bravery in football. Obviously you can be physically brave and put your body on the line.

“But another way of being brave is always looking to receive the ball and being that outlet in tight situations, even when things aren’t going well.

“He has always had that in his game.

“You need that quality to unlock the door, especially at home when teams sit back and make it difficult as I expect Gillingham to do.”

Yeates does not mind that weight of expectation from his manager and team-mates.

He said: “The onus is on me to make chances and score goals. It’s pretty black and white.

“You’re seen as one of the technical players in the group and you have to produce something out of the ordinary.

“It can look like pressure but that’s the way it is. It’s something we should be thriving on.

“We know forwards are going to be judged on goals. It doesn’t matter what club you’re at or what level, if you’re a centre forward you have to chip in with a fair number.

“But it’s down to the likes of me and the others in midfield to supply the bullets.

“I’m enjoying it at the moment. I want to go out there, especially at Valley Parade, and send the fans home smiling more than anything.”

Parkinson, at least, has options if Yeates does not make it. For the first time since the opening month of the season, his selection plans are not restricted by injury or suspensions.

James Hanson and Gary Liddle both returned to the squad at Preston last week but Parkinson put them on the bench.

City’s top scorer replaced Billy Clarke for the final 15 minutes, after sitting out the previous weekend at Halifax when he had a cortisone injection to settle his troublesome thigh.

Hanson’s improvement from that persuaded Parkinson not to send him away for more intensive treatment. But Jon Stead’s recent performances have allowed the City boss to ease him back.

Parkinson added: “Lidds needed a good week’s training and James will come on again from working with us all week.

“He’s a lot more confident with his thigh now. He went through a period where he missed a lot of training but now he’s had two weeks back of regular work.

“He’s looking great and it’s good to have that option when it comes to selection.

“I chose not to start either of them last weekend but they are both pushing hard for a recall.”