Preston North End vs Crewe Alexandra preview - Wiseman back for Preston

Posted Friday, March 13, 2015 by PA

Scott Wiseman is available again for Preston as they entertain Steve Davis' Crewe at Deepdale.

The Gibraltar international missed the pivotal victory at MK Dons last weekend with a slight hamstring strain but has returned to full fitness to give manager Simon Grayson something to think about in defence.

North End, who are second in the table, have an injury-free squad and Grayson is likely to name an unchanged XI for the third straight fixture as the club bid to extend their unbeaten streak in Sky Bet League One to eight games.

That means experienced attackers Kevin Davies, Jermaine Beckford and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are once again set to be named among the substitutes as Grayson has preferred Joe Garner and Callum Robinson up top.

Crewe are keeping their fingers crossed on defender George Ray.

The centre-back missed the victory over Scunthorpe with a rib injury but, after learning that it was only bruising and not a fracture, Ray has trained this week with a view to being involved at Preston.

Young forward Ryan Colclough featured for the Alex's Under-21s on Thursday night on the long road back from his hernia and hip problems.

Goalkeeper Ben Garratt (broken leg) is out for the season but Davis still holds hope of involving captain Matt Tootle again before the end of the campaign after he had a protective boot on his ankle removed.