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.
‘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.’
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.
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.
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.
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.
County – 5/2
Draw – 13/5
Preston – Evens
Special Bet – George Donnelly to score first, 2-1 Preston us 100/1 with Will Hills.
3-1 Preston. County’s midfield still looks the weakest area even against Preston’s supposed weakened side.
COUNTY v Wycombe
Saturday 14th August ’10
Edgeley Park
npower League 2
3pm