Preston v Chesterfield preview

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Preston could be unchanged again after Simon Grayson got the reaction he wanted to claim a League One play-off semi-final first-leg lead against Chesterfield.

North End suffered a demoralising loss to Colchester last weekend to miss out on automatic promotion but, having stuck with the same XI and formation against the Spireites, those players rewarded Grayson’s faith by producing a spirited performance to take a slender advantage back to Deepdale, where the Lilywhites have not lost in the league in six months.

Callum Robinson’s loan from Aston Villa was extended in time for him to come off the bench on Thursday night while Jordan Hugill was also among the replacements having returned from a productive loan stint with Hartlepool.

Neil Kilkenny came on at the Proact Stadium and may come into consideration if Grayson opts to shake things up with his midfield three.

Goalkeeper Tommy Lee is a concern for Chesterfield ahead of Sunday’s decisive second leg.

Lee is nursing an ankle injury from the first leg and the club are awaiting the results of a scan but are hopeful he will be able to resume between the posts at Deepdale.

With back-up keeper Aaron Chapman (ankle) still out injured, the Spireites would need to sign someone on an emergency loan should Lee not be fit to play.

Drew Talbot returned to the squad on Thursday after three weeks out with a hamstring injury and the full-back is expected to be on the bench once again.

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Preston v Chesterfield preview

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Alex Marrow’s future at Preston remains shrouded in mystery.

Marrow has made four appearances since joining on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, but boss Graham Westley refused to be drawn on the 22-year-old utility man’s absence from Preston’s squad for the 3-0 defeat at Colchester on Saturday amid rumours his spell has been cut short.

Westley told the Lancashire Evening Post: “Alex wasn’t in the squad which travelled and he wasn’t in the 16. The players who get selected should be the conversational point.”

Strikers Iain Hume (hamstring) and Jamie Proctor (groin) could become greater conversational points themselves having featured for the last half hour at the Western Homes Community Stadium, stepping up their involvement following recent injury absences.

Youngster George Miller will be pushing to retain his place in midfield after the 20-year-old made a full debut at the weekend.

Neil Mellor (knee) and Adam Barton (dislocated ankle and broken leg) remain long-term absentees.

Chesterfield expect to have no new problems.

Assistant manager Mark Crossley revealed that a few unnamed players are nursing ‘the usual knocks and niggles’ from Saturday’s home win over Tranmere but he does not anticipate any new absentees ahead of Tuesday night.

On-loan defender James Hurst is closing in on a return after missing the last five matches with an ankle injury.

The game against Preston looks like coming too soon for him but the West Brom youngster could be in contention for the trip to Stevenage at the weekend.

Midfielder Jimmy Juan is also close to a comeback after two games on the sidelines with his ankle problem.

Full-back Gregor Robertson will remain out with a hamstring injury.

Preston v Chesterfield preview

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Preston forward Iain Hume is in contention to end his injury lay-off in the home fixture.

Hume has been sidelined with a knee injury since North End’s 3-1 defeat to Huddersfield in October.

Any involvement for the Canadian striker is likely to be from the bench, with boss Phil Brown rating his chances as 50/50.

Experienced midfield duo Graham Alexander and Ian Ashbee could also return for the match.

Alexander was absent from last Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Hartlepool due to a hamstring stain, but completed a full training session on Tuesday, while Ashbee is making good progress with his knee complaint.

Goalkeeper Iain Turner has returned to light training after suffering a broken foot, but Thorsten Stuckmann – Preston’s hero in their penalty shoot-out victory over Rochdale in the previous round – will continue between the posts.

Chesterfield have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the clash with the news that midfielder Mark Randall could be out for up to six weeks after breaking a bone in his left hand.

Randall suffered the injury whilst playing for the reserves in a Central League Cup fixture against Port Vale last Tuesday. The 22-year-old will undergo an operation this week.

Manager John Sheridan will also be without defender Jonathan Grounds and midfielder Lee Johnson after they returned to Middlesbrough and Bristol City respectively following the end of their loan spells at the b2net Stadium. However, Derek Niven is available after the midfielder returned from his loan spell at Northampton.

Veteran striker Jack Lester is likely to be involved again after he made his comeback from almost three months out with a broken arm with a late substitute appearance during the home defeat to rivals Sheffield United nine days ago.

That was the last time the Spireites were in action, having gone out of the FA Cup at the first-round stage. Full-back Scott Griffiths made his second debut for the club against the Blades after returning on loan from Peterborough and he is likely to keep his place in the side at Deepdale.

Preston won the League One fixture between the two sides at the B2net Stadium 2-0 in August.