Boro looking to go 10 games unbeaten in all competitions

Preston North End v Stevenage

Saturday, December 10

Season so far

This weekend sees the first ever meeting between Preston North End and Stevenage, and the two teams are going into the match on the back of contrasting recent form.

Phil Brown’s Preston currently sit in 14th place in League 1 after relegation from the Championship last season and have won just once in their last 10 games.

Stevenage, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions during which time they have kept seven clean sheets. Boro have however failed to find the net in their last two league matches which have both been goalless draws.

Team news

Iain Hume could return to the Preston starting XI this weekend. The Canadian international has missed the last eight weeks due to a knee injury, while a chest infection ruled him out of Tuesday’s defeat to Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Captain Ian Ashbee is back in training for the Lilywhites, but Barry Nicholson is out after picking up an ankle injury last weekend.

Ronnie Henry was taken off with a leg injury at Stourbridge last Saturday, and if the right-back fails to recover in time for this Saturday’s match either Phil Edwards or Lawrie Wilson could drop back to cover for him.

If Wilson moves to right back, Graham Westley could go on the attack by picking Byron Harrison or Don Cowan on the right wing. If Edwards is chosen, Joel Byrom is likely to start in the centre of midfield alongside Michael Bostwick.

Did you know?

Chris Day is a former Lilywhite – or at least he was a temporary one back in 2004/05 when he played six games for Preston while on loan from QPR.

Whilst Boro have draw their last two league games 0-0, Preston have gone 46 games since they last played out a goalless draw.

Top scorers

Preston: Neil Mellor, nine in all competitions.

Stevenage: Chris Beardsley, seven in all competitions.

Referee

Dean Mohareb has officiated three League 1 games this season.

Weather report

White cloud, 6�, 11mph wind

Preston contact details

Preston North End, Sir Tom Finney Way, Deepdale, Preston, Lancs, PR1 6RU

Ticket office: 0844 856 1966