Preston look to get back to winning ways against Stoke City

It’s a quick turnaround from Wednesday’s midweek defeat against Bristol City for Preston North End as they face Stoke City at Deepdale.

It’ll be the first time the Lilywhites will clash with their former manager Alex Neil who enjoyed a three-year spell at North End, with his highest finish being 7^th in the Sky Bet Championship.

The former Norwich manager has a promotion from the second division on his CV and left Sunderland earlier this season to join the Potters after previously turning down the job once before at the Bet 365 Stadium during his tenure at Deepdale.

Since taking over in Stoke-on-Trent, Neil’s won two of his opening seven games with an impressive win against table toppers Sheffield United last time out.

However, Ryan Lowe didn’t share the same joy in his last match as his side ran out 2-1 losers at Ashton Gate thanks to a brace from centre-half Rob Atkinson.

With poor defending for both goals, it’s different to the usual defensive standards that the Lancashire side have shown this season with the best defensive record in the league, claiming nine clean sheets so far this campaign.

But after finally finding their scoring touch, they’ve conceded four and scored four in their last two games which may set up for a goalscoring affair on Saturday afternoon.

North End are struggling however on the injury front and may have even further concerns for Saturday.

They started Wednesday’s game with five left footers in their five-at-the-back formation, a rarity in football and it was clear the unbalance it caused.

Alvaro Fernandez, who’s been a starlet for North End in recent weeks, appeared to limp off and may well be not 100% for Saturday’s clash whilst the Lilywhites will also be without loanee Troy Parrott who’s ruled out until after the World Cup break.

Preston will however be able to welcome back defender Jordan Storey who served a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 2-3 win over Norwich City last weekend.

With just one home win for North End all season, Stoke will be heading to Deepdale confident of backing up their impressive win over Sheffield United.

With loanee and former Preston target Liam Delap getting his first goal during the loan spell, he’ll be looking to get another goal in front of the Preston fans who pleaded for the signing in the forward department all summer long.

Now short in the forward department and injuries possibly starting to creep in, it’ll be a test of North End’s character if they can overcome their former gaffer and get back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon.

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