That leaves the defence to pick itself with the improving Davis playing behind the back four of Bale, Lundekvam, Baird and Makin, who will be hoping to have shaken off his rustiness with 90 minutes against Ipswich.
In midfield Burley needs to find the right balance to get our passing game back to its best after stuttering performances against Ipswich and Coventry. Belmadi's quality on the right will earn him a starting slot, but the three other positions are up for grabs.
The partnership of Wright and Viafara has struggled to impose itself on recent opposition, a concern with top table opposition looming in Saints' next fixtures. Pele's all-action game and ability on the ball has been missed and will surely provide a challenge to Viafara's claims for a central midfield berth.
Alongside him, provided Idiakez can finally get somewhere near full fitness, the Spaniard's quality on the ball is a tempting option for Burley, particularly after he scored two high quality goals for the reserves in mid-week.
However, Burley has shown no signs of dropping Wright and Idiakez may be restricted to the bench, despite a fit Pele and Idiakez being Saints' potentially best central midfield partnership. Also away from home Burley may be looking for more of a ball winner with the more attacking Belmadi back in the line-up.
On the left much depends on Rudi Skacel's fitness levels. Surman created several chances against Ipswich when restored to the left-hand side, but less individual goal threat. Skacel certainly knows where the goal is and while he seems to drift in and out of games, his movement and sweet left foot creates many of Saints' chances.
Up front there is real competition for places. Burley has admitted he is a fan of Jones and Saganowski as a little and large partnership and with both players in the goals, the less mobile Rasiak is struggling to get into the starting line-up.
Rasiak has the best goal record in the league away from home and with some massive games coming up, we need our most clinical finisher fit and firing, particularly as he looks increasingly sullen on the touchline.
After slowly improving all season Wright-Phillips can count himself unfortunate to be out of the side, but has proved how effective a substitute he can be against tiring defences where his pace and trickery always looks to create chances for himself and others.
So, what is Saints' best line-up and which will Burley pick against Preston?
Provided all are fit enough for Monday, I believe our highest quality line-up is the following:
Davis
Makin Baird Lundekvam Bale
Belmadi Pele Idiakez Skacel
Rasiak Jones
However, Burley is more likely to play the following:
Davis
Makin Baird Lundekvam Bale
Belmadi Wright Pele Surman
Saganowski Jones
Either way it is a massive away game for us and we can only hope that Saints can shake off some of our recent inconsistent form and put in a display worth of promotion challengers.