Preston v Stevenage preview
Last Updated: March 8, 2013 1:54pm
Bailey Wright: Faces fitness test
Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Preston North End and Stevenage at Deepdale.
Keith Keane completes the final game of a two-match suspension as Simon Grayson takes charge at home for the first time.
Paul Connolly took Keane's place in the starting line-up as North End played out a 1-1 draw at MK Dons last weekend and is expected to resume right-back duties.
Fellow defenders David Buchanan (hamstring) and Bailey Wright (ankle) picked up injuries against the Dons that ruled them out of training in the early stages of this week and the pair will be assessed.
John Mousinho came through a behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackpool and could feature against his former club.
Scott Laird has started light training as he steps up rehabilitation from a broken leg but will not make a full return until pre-season, while Joel Byrom (hernia) is set to be out for at least another fortnight.
Boro will be without midfielder James Dunne through suspension.
Dunne starts a two-match ban after collecting a 10th yellow card of the season against Brentford on Tuesday night.
Anthony Grant could step into midfield for Dunne while boss Gary Smith is otherwise unlikely to tinker with the side which ended a six-match losing streak with a 1-0 win against the Bees.
Steve Arnold is set to keep his spot between the sticks after replacing former Preston loanee Chris Day in midweek, while full-back David Gray makes his first return to Deepdale since leaving North End last summer.
Teenage forward Anthony Jeffrey is still awaiting his Stevenage debut following his recent loan switch from Premier League club Arsenal.
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 |
