Preston North End vs Fleetwood Town preview - North End low on numbers

Posted Friday, October 24, 2014 by PA

Simon Grayson has bemoaned the longest injury list he has ever known at Preston ahead of Fleetwood's visit to Deepdale.

In-form North End, who have won six on the bounce, could be without defenders Tom Clarke, Bailey Wright, Scott Wiseman and Calum Woods, so Ben Davies may be drafted into the back four having returned from a loan spell with Tranmere this week.

Further up the field, Jordan Hugill (knee) is out while ex-Rangers winger Andy Little is again doubtful because of his hamstring strain.

Paul Huntington will hope to keep his place in a depleted defence after scoring the winner against Gillingham in midweek in his first league outing of the campaign.

Fleetwood are sweating on the fitness of striker David Ball.

Graham Alexander rated the former Manchester City trainee at 50-50 after he took a knock against MK Dons on Tuesday and missed training on Thursday.

However, apart from long-term absentee Jamille Matt (leg), the Cod Army are awash with options after Keith Southern (hernia) and Jeff Hughes (broken leg) returned from lengthy injury absences earlier this month.

North End legend Alexander will be returning to Deepdale as an opposing manager for the first time while the likes of Conor McLaughlin and Jamie Proctor are coming up against their former employers too.