Brentford v Preston preview

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Brentford will be without midfielder Adam Forshaw when they host promotion rivals Preston.

The League One player of the year serves a one-match ban after he was sent off during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Swindon, so Chelsea loanee George Saville could earn a recall in the centre.

Winger Sam Saunders has stepped up his training after a knee operation and is closing in on a return, but Friday’s clash will probably come too soon.

Youngster Josh Clarke could be on the bench after the speedy wideman was promoted to the first-team squad this week.

Preston captain John Welsh will miss the trip to fellow high-fliers Brentford as he completes a two-match suspension.

The central midfielder was booked for the 10th time this season against Bristol City and sat out the 6-1 thrashing of Carlisle.

North End are, however, likely to have a number of players back in their ranks. Top scorer Joe Garner will be one of those returning after he did not play against his former team as he attended the birth of his child

Full-back Scott Wiseman should overcome a knee complaint while fellow right-sided player Chris Humphrey is also expected to be available again following injury.

Brentford v Preston preview

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Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sam Saunders could return to the starting line-up for the Bees.

Striker Wright-Phillips and winger Saunders climbed off the bench Brentford trailing to Swindon on Tuesday night, and their introduction helped Uwe Rosler’s side fight back to win 2-1.

The Bees have no new injury worries following their midweek victory and have club captain Kevin O’Connor and striker Farid El Alagui edging closer to fitness after lengthy spells out.

Long-serving midfielder O’Connor has been out for four months with an ankle problem while El Alagui suffered a knee injury in October.

The duo will not feature on Saturday but have been pencilled in for a reserve game against Charlton early next week.

North End hope to have Jack King back in contention for the trip.

The versatile midfielder missed Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at Notts County due to a hip problem picked up during last weekend’s Deepdale triumph over Stevenage.

Defender Bailey Wright came off at half-time at Meadow Lane and faces a late fitness test after aggravating the ankle injury he first sustained against MK Dons a fortnight ago.

Midfielder Joel Byrom is closing in on a return following hernia surgery but remains around a week away from action.

Long-term injury victim Scott Laird (broken leg) is set to resume non-contact training in the near future.

North End are unbeaten in their last five league matches, claiming three wins and two draws.

Brentford v Preston preview

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Blair Adams will be fit for Brentford’s home game.

The on-loan Sunderland left-back limped off during Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Colchester but manager Uwe Rosler confirmed he was only suffering from cramp.

Winger Sam Saunders is back in training after three weeks out with knee ligament damage but he will need a reserve game before being considered.

Striker Gary Alexander is also close to returning after a knee injury but will not be risked at the weekend.

Long-term absentees Toumani Diagouraga (knee) and Kirk Hudson (hip) are in light training but are still some way from a return to first-team action.

Defenders Shaleum Logan (ankle) and Leon Legge (hamstring) remain in the treatment room.

Meanwhile, Preston manager Phil Brown has a selection headache.

North End recorded an impressive 2-0 win at promotion rivals Charlton in the Carling Cup second round on Tuesday night.

Brown made eight changes from Friday’s thrilling 4-3 win against Yeovil, most notably goalkeeper Andreas Arestidou stepping in to make his first-team debut in place of the injured Iain Turner.

There was also a first start of the season for club captain Ian Ashbee following a knee injury which ruled him out of the start of the season.

Striker Juvhel Tsoumou made his first start for the Lilywhites while senior squad players Darel Russell and Craig Morgan both put in assured performances after falling out of favour.

Brown – who is hoping that Turner will be passed fit after a knock – said: “We made eight changes and to say that we deserved to win the game is an understatement.”