Preston v Crewe preview

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Scott Wiseman is available again for Preston as they entertain Steve Davis’ Crewe at Deepdale.

The Gibraltar international missed the pivotal victory at MK Dons last weekend with a slight hamstring strain but has returned to full fitness to give manager Simon Grayson something to think about in defence.

North End, who are second in the table, have an injury-free squad and Grayson is likely to name an unchanged XI for the third straight fixture as the club bid to extend their unbeaten streak in Sky Bet League One to eight games.

That means experienced attackers Kevin Davies, Jermaine Beckford and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are once again set to be named among the substitutes as Grayson has preferred Joe Garner and Callum Robinson up top.

Crewe are keeping their fingers crossed on defender George Ray.

The centre-back missed the victory over Scunthorpe with a rib injury but, after learning that it was only bruising and not a fracture, Ray has trained this week with a view to being involved at Preston.

Young forward Ryan Colclough featured for the Alex’s Under-21s on Thursday night on the long road back from his hernia and hip problems.

Goalkeeper Ben Garratt (broken leg) is out for the season but Davis still holds hope of involving captain Matt Tootle again before the end of the campaign after he had a protective boot on his ankle removed.

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Preston v Crewe preview

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Preston manager Graham Westley will select from the same squad that travelled for the abandoned Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Bury.

Torrential rain before kick-off rendered the Gigg Lane playing surface unplayable, leaving Westley a further three days to mull over who will get the nod among a well-stocked first-team group.

Veteran forward Lee Trundle made a belated Preston debut from the bench against Gillingham in the FA Cup last weekend. A knee injury sustained at Morecambe in pre-season resulted in a lengthy period on the sidelines for the 36-year-old.

Fellow striker Anthony Elding is pushing for selection once more – the on-loan Grimbsy man was cup-tied for the Gillingham game.

Jeffrey Monakana recovered from a dead leg to open the scoring against the Gills and is ready to feature once more.

Defenders Scott Laird (broken leg) and Keith Keane (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Crewe boss Steve Davis must solve a selection dilemma at right-back.

Matt Tootle is suspended after he was sent off during Tuesday night’s penalty shoot-out triumph over Doncaster in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Gresty Road.

Utility man Kelvin Mellor would normally deputise but he remains sidelined with a knee injury, meaning Harry Davis or Ollie Turton could be asked to fill the void.

Elsewhere, Davis has selection issues of a more welcome nature after he shuffled his pack to good effect against Rovers.

Goalkeeper Steve Phillips, defender Adam Dugdale, midfield Brad Inman and forward Max Clayton were all handed starts and did their causes for a place in the first XI at Deepdale no harm at all.

Skipper Luke Murphy provides another option in midfield having overcome a niggling groin problem, but striker Ajay Leitch-Smith (ankle) remains on the sidelines.

Preston v Crewe preview

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Preston boss Phil Brown will swing the axe.

North End were subjected to a humiliating 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Colchester on the opening day of the season.

Brown accused his men of “unacceptable behaviour” following the reverse and confirmed: “One or two players who played on Saturday won’t be playing against Crewe.”

Conor McLaughlin will again miss out with a hamstring injury, Ian Ashbee is still troubled by a knee problem and David Gray is also sidelined with a broken leg.

Preston announced the signing of German striker Juvhel Tsoumou on a two-year contract from Alemannia Aachen at the weekend and he will hope to receive international clearance in time to feature against Crewe.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi will recall midfielder Luke Murphy.

Murphy was an unused substitute as the Railwaymen were beaten 3-0 at Swindon on the opening day of the season.

And Gradi, who has no major injury concerns, will look to shuffle his pack against Phil Brown’s side.

He said: “I will look at making a couple of changes and Murphy will play.

“There is no point having him on the bench for weeks and then turning around and say he is playing.

“I have enough players in the squad to change things around, although that is difficult to do with the defenders because we are short of cover there.”