Bury v Preston preview

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Bury manager Kevin Blackwell has no new injury worries to contend with.

Northern Ireland striker David Healy is pushing for a start having made his return from a calf injury as a late substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Crewe.

Defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell and midfielder Zac Thompson overcame respective shin and hamstring complaints to start against the Railwaymen and are in contention once more having suffered no adverse reaction.

Shane Byrne remains on the sidelines due to illness and the midfielder is joined by striker Andy Bishop (foot), centre-back Adam Lockwood (groin) and long-term victim Phil Picken (knee).

The original northern area quarter-final tie with North End was postponed a fortnight ago when a torrential downpour before kick-off rendered the Gigg Lane pitch unplayable.

Lee Holmes and Stuart Beavon are pushing for places in Preston’s starting line-up.

Winger Holmes and striker Beavon appeared as second-half substitutes during North End’s goalless draw at Portsmouth on Saturday having been restricted to the bench by illness but both players are now back to full fitness.

Chris Robertson will be missing from the Lilywhites’ defence having picked up his fifth booking of the season and a one-match ban at Fratton Park.

Fellow defenders Keith Keane (knee) and Scott Laird (broken leg) are long-term absentees.

Preston’s only win in their last six outings came in the first round of the FA Cup against Gillingham. They have overcome Carlisle and Morecambe in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this term.

Bury v Preston preview

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Bury’s caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff has no new injury concerns to contend with for the visit of in-form Preston.

Former North End striker David Healy is rated 50/50 for the match and will undergo a late fitness test.

Should the Northern Ireland international feature, his presence is likely to prompt a feisty reception from the travelling fans.

The 33-year-old fractured relations with the Preston faithful during his ill-tempered move from Deepdale to Leeds in 2004.

Healy had looked set to re-sign for the Lilywhites in the summer and manager Graham Westley spent several weeks running the rule of the forward before opting not to offer him a deal.

Elsewhere, Efe Sodje is in line for a recall to the Shakers defence where he will be tasked with containing his brother Akpo, who has scored twice for North End this season.

Preston manager Graham Westley is expected to make wholesale changes from the side that beat Carlisle in midweek.

Scott Laird, Stuart Beavon, Paul Huntington and goalkeeper Thorstan Stuckmann are all likely to be recalled for the short trip to Gigg Lane.

The Lilywhites made nine changes for Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint clash against the Cumbrians, which fell just 48 hours after North End had beaten Swindon 4-1, with defenders Bradley Wright and Keith Keane the only ever-presents.

Bury represent Preston’s local derby in League One and Westley has called on the players to understand the rivalry which is expected to see in excess of 2,000 fans make the trip to Greater Manchester.

He told the club’s official website: “If you are in Preston as the Preston manager or a Preston player then it is important you feel the club’s results and you know what it means to the people.”

Joel Byrom and John Mousinho (both thigh) are Westley’s only injury doubts, while Lee Holmes (gashed leg) and Lee Trundle (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Bury v Preston preview

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Veteran Efe Sodje is set to continue at the heart of the Bury defence as Richie Barker’s side look for their third consecutive league win.

Sodje came into the Shakers’ backline in place of the suspended Mark Hughes for last weekend’s trip to Walsall, and the visitors ran out 4-2 winners.

Hughes remains on the sidelines as he serves game two of a three-match suspension, earned with a straight red card in the FA Cup loss to Crawley.

On-loan Liverpool forward David Amoo impressed on his comeback from injury against the Saddlers and is expected to continue in attack, where Lenell John-Lewis is pushing for a start after a goalscoring return from the bench.

Opponents Preston are without a league win in eight games, picking up a solitary point during their slump.

Jamie McCombe and Nathan Doyle are in line for their Preston debuts.

Huddersfield centre-back McCombe and Barnsley midfielder Doyle both sealed one-month deals on Thursday shortly before the emergency loan deadline slammed shut.

McCombe’s fellow defender Clarke Carlisle received his fifth booking of the season in Tuesday night’s FA Cup first-round replay defeat to Southend and must serve a one-match ban.

Jonathan Forte is available once more after parent club Southampton refused the forward permission to take part in the cup tie and the striker crisis that has engulfed under-pressure boss Brown in recent weeks appears to be easing.

Neil Mellor has taken part in the last two matches following time on the sidelines with an ankle injury while Iain Hume (knee) and Jamie Proctor have resumed light training to have an outside chance of involvement.

Barry Nicholson took the captain’s armband at Roots Hall in the absence of midfield duo Ian Ashbee and Graham Alexander. Ashbee has a knee problem and fellow veteran Alexander was ruled out with an unspecified knock, meaning both remain doubts for the Gigg Lane trip, along with winger Kemar Daley (hamstring).