Preston v Coventry preview

Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Preston and Coventry City at Deepdale.

Last Updated: 25/01/13 at 12:45   

Paul Connolly: Set to debut for North End

Paul Connolly: Set to debut for North End

Preston will be looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

One of those losses came at the hands of the Sky Blues, who completed a dramatic late turnaround to dump Graham Westley's side out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

North End have faired little better in the league of late, lying 16th with a 1-0 victory at basement boys Hartlepool their only three-point haul in 10 matches.

Keith Keane (knee) and Scott Laird (broken leg) remain on the sidelines, but fellow defender Paul Connolly is poised to make his debut having joined on loan from Leeds last week.

Captain John Mousinho and striker Lee Trundle (hamstring) remain unavailable.

The Lilywhites drew 1-1 in December's league encounter at the Ricoh Arena, with winger Lee Holmes equalising 13 minutes from time.

Mark Robins is expected to have a full-strength squad for Coventry.

James Bailey returned from injury to start last weekend's encounter against Oldham and duly bagged a winner four minutes into injury time to seal a 2-1 victory and keep City within three points of the play-off places.

Bailey was the only change from the side who saw off leaders Tranmere, with Franck Moussa dropping to the bench, and boss Robins could well opt to name an unchanged XI.

The Sky Blues shared a 1-1 draw with North End at the Ricoh Arena just before Christmas and then went on to dump them out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the Area semi-finals courtesy of a last-gasp turnaround to triumph 3-2 two weeks ago.

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npower League 1

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Doncaster 46 18 84
2 Bournemth 46 23 83
3 Brentford 46 15 79
4 Yeovil 46 15 77
5 Sheff Utd 46 14 75
6 Swindon 46 33 74
7 Leyton Or 46 7 71
8 MK Dons 46 17 70
9 Walsall 46 7 68
10 Crawley 46 1 68
11 Tranmere 46 10 67
12 Notts Co 46 12 65
13 Crewe 46 -8 64
14 Preston 46 5 59
15 Coventry 46 7 55
16 Shrewsbury 46 -6 55
17 Carlisle 46 -21 55
18 Stevenage 46 -17 54
19 Oldham 46 -13 51
20 Colchester 46 -21 51
21 Scunthorpe 46 -24 48
22 Bury 46 -28 41
23 Hartlepool 46 -28 41
24 Portsmouth 46 -18 32

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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