County play host to Championship Preston tonight in Paul Simpson’s first home game as Hatters boss – and the first match at the ‘new and improved’ Edgeley Park surface.
Work was done over the summer on re-turfing the mud heap, which meant County’s pre-season friendlies were not played at home to help the pitch along before tonight’s ‘big kick-off.’
Tonight will also see the return of Darren Ferguson, subject of course to some of the funniest abuse ever dished out at London Road a few years ago as over a thousand County fans hurled chants towards Mr Ferguson about his alleged, erm… ‘family problems’ at the time.
North End got underway with a 2-0 defeat on Saturday at home to Doncaster, and look really under-strength for tonight’s trip to EP.
Lilywhites young winger Jamie Proctor will finalise a loan move to Paul Simpson’s County side sometime after the clash tonight.
Vital Quotes:
‘Under-fire’ midfielder Paul Turnbull: ‘The lads were gutted with conceding so late on Saturday, we were all really buzzing after George’s strike but it’s a shame we couldn’t hold on.’
‘But I hope the fans turn up again tonight.’
‘Nobody is expecting us to win because they’re in the Championship but we’ll go out and do our best and hopefully get a victory – it’s our first home game and I know the lads are excited to get out there in front of our own fans.’
County Team News:
Matty Mainwaring faces a late fitness test ahead of tonight’s match with Paul Simpson’s former club, who he guided to 7th in the Championship before leaving Deepdale.
Jordan Rose, the highly-rated young defender, faces a month on the sidelines after tweaking his groin in the final pre-season training session before the trip to Southend.
Player to watch: Robbie Williams
Williams was touted as our best summer signing, but understandable the left-back looked unfit on Saturday before finding his feet in the game and playing solidly.
Let’s see how he does on his home debut and after the benefit of a few training sessions with his new team-mates.
Preston Team News:
Defender Sean St. Ledger is out with an ankle injury, and his fellow central defender Wayne Brown is out again.
Jon Parkin returns to the line-up tonight after missing on Saturday with a back problem – the big striker will cause problems for The Hatters.
Player to watch: Jon Parkin
If he plays, the hitman will be a real handful for Manny Assoumani on the Frenchman’s home debut. Assoumani impressed on Saturday but would probably be favourite to be handed the task of marking Parkin tonight.
Match Odds
County – 5/2
Draw – 13/5
Preston – Evens
Special Bet – George Donnelly to score first, 2-1 Preston us 100/1 with Will Hills.
Match Prediction:
3-1 Preston. County’s midfield still looks the weakest area even against Preston’s supposed weakened side.
Next Fixtures:
COUNTY v Wycombe
Saturday 14th August ’10
Edgeley Park
npower League 2
3pm
