Preston v Tranmere preview
Last Updated: September 23, 2011 11:39am
Donaldson: Faces legthy spell out
Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Preston and Tranmere at Deepdale.
Manager Phil Brown has a near full-strength side to choose from when North End host Rovers.
David Gray returned to action for the first time since suffering a broken leg in March during North End's 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the third round of the Carling Cup on Wednesday.
The full-back played the first half before being withdrawn as a precaution, while fellow defender Steven Smith returned to the fold after recovering from a troublesome calf injury that sidelined him for over a month.
Preston's only worry is goalkeeper Iain Turner, who is continuing his recovery from a foot injury sustained against Yeovil earlier this month.
Brown made wholesale changes in their defeat to Saints and is likely to recall his star players following an impressive display in the 3-1 win at Brentford last Saturday.
Tranmere have been dealt a blow ahead of their trip with the news that Ryan Donaldson will miss the remainder of his loan spell with a hamstring injury.
The attacking midfielder, who joined on a one-month deal from Newcastle last week, was forced off just 27 minutes into his Rovers debut against Wycombe after suffering a grade two tear.
Manager Les Parry confirmed that Donaldson is likely to be out of action for at least six weeks but he told the club's official website: "I've had a chat with him and hopefully we'll get him back when he's right."
Defender Ian Goodison is also a doubt with a small superficial tear on one of his stomach muscles although Parry is hopeful of including the Jamaica international in his squad.
Winger Martin Devaney and playmaker Andy Robinson are set to feature after overcoming their respective hamstring injuries to train in the latter half of this week.
Matches
-
npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
