Preston v Walsall preview

Team news ahead of Sunday's League One clash between Preston and Walsall at Deepdale.

Preston will be without the services of goalkeeper Steve Simonsen. Simonsen suffered a knee cartilage injury in Thursday night's 3-2 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at Coventry and was hindered by the problem as the Sky Blues fired two goals in injury time to deny North End a place in the northern area final. Thorsten Stuckmann is poised to deputise between the posts for the former Everton and Stoke man. Defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff is a major doubt having hobbled off to be replaced by Chris Robertson 18 minutes into the Ricoh Arena clash, although the nature of his problem is unknown. Joe Garner is set to continue in attack alongside midweek goalscorer Stuart Beavon having made his North End debut. Keith Keane (knee), fellow defender Scott Laird (broken leg) and forward Lee Trundle (hamstring) remain on the sidelines. Walsall are without Karl Darlow for the trip to North End. The goalkeeper was recalled by Nottingham Forest after keeping clean sheets in both of his appearances since returning for a second loan spell on New Year's Day. Boss Dean Smith may choose to dive into the market to sign a replacement ahead of the game or turn to Hungarian keeper David Grof, who has made 14 appearances so far this campaign but has not played since November. Meanwhile, Smith has completed the permanent signing of teenage midfielder Sam Mantom from West Brom. Midfielder Florent Cuvelier is absent again with a hamstring problem, but his injury is not as bad as first feared and he could make a return to training next week. Striker Febian Brandy has trained after picking up a slight hamstring injury during last Friday's 2-0 win over Portsmouth and is expected to feature, but the game is expected to come too soon for defenders Andy Taylor (groin) and Dean Holden (ankle).