Preston v Leyton Orient preview

Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Preston North End and Leyton Orient at Deepdale.

Last Updated: 22/03/13 at 13:39   

Dean Cox: Expected to be fit

Dean Cox: Expected to be fit

Preston are set to be without captain John Welsh as they welcome the O's

The midfielder was withdrawn during the first half of last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Brentford with an ankle injury and is unlikely to recover in time for the clash.

John Mousinho was Welsh's replacement at Griffin Park and is the favourite to start in central midfield while Keith Keane is another alternative.

Bailey Wright (ankle) and Will Hayhurst (hamstring) were both ruled out against the Bees and will face late fitness tests ahead of the game.

Joel Byrom (hernia) and Scott Laird (broken leg) are also on the road to recovery but the match against Russell Slade's men will come too soon for both.

Manager Simon Grayson has so far resisted the temptation to enter the loan market to bolster his squad and is keen to keep faith with his current group of players as they look for a positive end to the campaign.

Leyton Orient are hopeful Dean Cox will be fit for the trip to Deepdale.

The winger sustained a shoulder injury during last weekend's 4-1 win over Carlisle, in which he scored the fourth goal, but is expected to be available.

Mathieu Baudry will miss out again with a hip problem and is not expected back until after Easter but fellow defender Nathan Clarke came through against Carlisle unscathed after shaking off a rib injury.

Boss Russell Slade has four strikers to choose from for a change as Kevin Lisbie, Shaun Batt (both hamstring) and David Mooney (thigh) are fit after recent lay-offs.

Lisbie started alongside Batt against Carlisle with Mooney and Charlie MacDonald replacing them during the second half.

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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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