Preston North End vs Middlesbrough preview - Pickford seizes Preston chance

Jordan Pickford is expected to line up in goal for Preston in their Sunday lunchtime clash with Middlesbrough.

North End had hoped to get Sam Johnstone back on loan this summer but opted for Pickford as their number-one target's tenure at Manchester United remains uncertain with doubts persisting over the futures of David De Gea and Victor Valdes.

Greg Cunningham and Marnick Vermijl could both make their debuts in the full-back slots, while the likes of Jermaine Beckford and Paul Gallagher will make their first appearances as permanent players following successful loan spells last season.

On-loan Manchester United forward Will Keane is another of the North End newboys, while Simon Grayson has lost the likes of Scott Wiseman, David Buchanan and Scott Laird from his promotion-winning side.

Stewart Downing looks set to make the first appearance of his second spell at Middlesbrough.

The winger moved back to his hometown club this summer for B#5.5million from West Ham.

Fellow summer signing Alex Baptiste is out of the Preston game after breaking his leg on his debut against York in pre-season.

Centre-half Ben Gibson is unavailable because of a hamstring injury, while Boro are waiting to hear if striker Christian Stuani has received international clearance to play following his B#3.6million switch from Spanish side Espanyol.