At the start of March, Burnley faced a hugely testing run of fixtures including home games with Watford, Charlton and Wolves, with trips to Stoke and Hull thrown in for good measure.

Back then, the Clarets were two points adrift of the top six, and, as frustrating as Saturday's defeat was, the gap between Burnley and the play-off places now stands at just three.

The Clarets remain in contention with seven games left to play, and Coyle is looking to achieve a semblance of consistency in the run-in: "I was angered more than anything on Saturday, given the goals we conspired to give away, but, when you look at the fixtures we've played, we played the top teams and showed we're more than a match for them.

"We've come through that period and we're three points behind sixth place.

"There's an opportunity there for us, we have seven games left and there will be points dropped by everybody in the run-in.

"Games are week to week now as well, after a heightened period where injuries and suspensions didn't help us.

"But there are six or seven teams who feel they can challenge for one of those play-off positions, and we're one of them.

"We have to make sure we're at our best, be consistent, and if we do that. we're more than capable of going on a run."

Coyle expects his side to respond to the setback against Wolves tomorrow at Deepdale, where a number of factors will motivate the his men: "It's a game we're looking to win to get back on track, and if we do that the nature of the Championship is that it can change so quickly and all of sudden you're back in the hunt.

"There probably couldn't be a better game to pick yourselves up for, especially given what happened in the last game when we all know we should have had three points.

"We'll go to Preston, be ready for it, positive and look to make amends.

"Football gives you the opportunity to address a disappointing result in the next game, but they don't come much tougher at this moment in time than Preston, who are playing well and will be at home.

"We're capable of beating anybody, and if we can go and get those three points, come Saturday night we could be bang on course to be really involved at the business end of the season.

"With it being a 1 p.m. kick-off as well, it gives you chance to put some pressure on."

Coyle hopes to have a trio of players fit to face Preston.

Chris McCann, Andrew Cole and Stan Varga will all have late tests ahead of the trip to Deepdale.

McCann has missed three games with a groin problem, while Cole has been dogged by a calf injury, and Varga was forced off against Wolves with a sore foot.

Coyle said yesterday: "Chris McCann was able to join in training the other day, so I'm hoping to have him available.

"Andrew Cole we'll leave until tomorrow and have a look at if he's able to train.

"Stan's here today, and I'm hoping he'll join in training. He'll need to be training by tomorrow at the latest, but hopefully he can take part in some stuff today."

There was good news on Wednesday as Michael Duff completed a fourth successive 90 minutes for the reserves, while Steve Jones made a return after missing 11 games with a knee problem, and Coyle added: "Most of the lads came through the reserve match unscathed.

"Steve Jones came through the 90 minutes, scored a goal and it was just good good to get him back in a strip running about.

"That was his first game for a long period of time, and we'll have to check there's no reaction to it.

"Michael Duff is getting better, I thought his timing had improved again on Wednesday night, and that will just come with games and give him confidence.

"He'll know himself he's getting better and stronger, training every day.

"But it's one thing, with all due respect, to play against Chester Reserves, and it's another to play against Preston in the derby.

"But he knows he's getting closer to where he wants to be, and I would envisage another couple of weeks and he'll be close to things."

Manchester United midfielder Ritchie Jones, who has had loan spells with Colchester, Barnsley and Yeovil, played the full 90 minutes for the reserves, and Coyle will continue to monitor the 21-year-old, with a view to bringing him in to the club.