The Newcastle striker is on loan at Deepdale, but he has failed to score since his transfer as Preston are fighting a relegation battle at the bottom of the Championship.
He was sent off in a game recently and was suspended for three games, but the Preston manager has refused to even include him in the squad since being available for selection.
The same applied on Saturday when Preston were unlucky not to record their first away win of the season.
James Beattie's ninth Championship goal of the season rescued a draw for Sheffield United.
Toon Striker Pays The Price!
Beattie, a £4million summer signing from Everton, converted from the penalty spot 12 minutes from time after substitute Sean St Ledger was adjudged to have handled in the area.
Darren Carter had put Preston ahead with a first-half free-kick and United had looked short of ideas until referee Jarnail Singh pointed to the spot following St Ledger's challenge on substitute Danny Webber.
PRESTON: Lonergan, Jones, Chilvers (St. Ledger 21), Mawene,Hill, Sedgwick, Davidson, Nicholls, Carter (Whaley 85), Hawley,Gallagher (Agyemang 66).
Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Mellor.