Preston v Scunthorpe preview

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Sam Johnstone and Daniel Johnson return to the fold when Preston entertain Scunthorpe at Deepdale.

Both goalkeeper Johnstone and midfielder Johnson were cup-tied on Monday night as North End went down 3-1 to Barclays Premier League giants Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round.

Striker Jordan Hugill (knee) played 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday as he steps up his recovery from injury, while winger Andy Little (groin) also featured for an hour in that fixture.

Manager Simon Grayson expects to have Jermaine Beckford back training soon too, although he needs to work on his fitness having been laid low by an ear infection.

Gary McSheffrey is back from suspension for Scunthorpe but faces a fight to reclaim his place in the starting line-up.

The experienced forward sat out the last two games after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season against old club Coventry and watched on as the Iron picked up back-to-back wins.

Manager Mark Robins has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Deepdale but could yet make changes with the fixtures coming thick and fast.

McSheffrey, Isaiah Osbourne and Andrew Boyce are among Robins’ options as he aims to close the five-point gap to the play-offs.

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Preston v Scunthorpe preview

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Preston manager Simon Grayson almost has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Midfielder John Welsh (Achilles) and striker Stuart Beavon (concussion) are Grayson’s only concerns but could feature against the Iron.

Joel Byrom has again stepped up his workload in training following hernia surgery but a place on the bench may be the best the former Stevenage midfielder can hope for, having been out of action since North End’s February 2 defeat to Shrewsbury.

Graham Cummins was recalled to the Lilywhites’ attack in the 1-0 Easter Monday loss to Crewe and will hope to retain his place along with Keith Keane, who was moved from right-back to midfield after the ploy worked as an effective mid-game tactical switch against Portsmouth on Good Friday.

Scunthorpe will hand a fitness test to skipper Paul Reid.

The defender missed the defeat to Bournemouth on Easter Monday after suffering a back spasm in the 2-1 win against Leyton Orient.

Brian Laws will give Reid as long as possible to declare his fitness before selecting his side.

The manager, who has no other major injury concerns for the game, is expected to recall Akpo Sodje to the starting line-up against his former club as the Iron look to end a five-match losing run away from home.

United are in the bottom four on goal difference, but 20th-placed Oldham have played two games fewer at this late stage of the season.

Preston v Scunthorpe preview

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Full-backs David Gray and Steven Smith are set to boost manager Graham Westley’s defensive options.

Gray has recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up in the January loss at Yeovil while Smith came back in the defeat at Colchester last weekend following a muscular problem, although he was not passed fit for Tuesday’s goaless draw with Chesterfield.

Westley has shown he is unafraid to give opportunities to youngsters since arriving at Deepdale and 19-year-old centre-back Daniel Devine will be hoping to keep his place after making a first start since October in midweek.

Iain Hume is pushing for a start in attack having made three consecutive substitute appearances after his recovery from a hamstring injury, while fellow striker Neil Mellor (knee) is targeting a return to action before the end of the month.

Craig Morgan (foot tendinitis) remains on the sidelines, while Adam Barton (broken leg) is out for the rest of the season.

Scunthorpe will be without suspended midfielders Josh Walker, Sam Togwell and Michael O’Connor.

The Iron have had a man sent off in each of their last three matches and the latest one, Walker, will sit out a one-game ban after receiving two yellow cards in the midweek win at Oldham.

Togwell will serve the final game of his three-match suspension following his dismissal at Sheffield United and fellow midfielder O’Connor, sent off last weekend, is in the middle of his three-game ban.

Manager Alan Knill will be hoping Jimmy Ryan’s knee suffers no reaction after the midfielder made his first start in two months at Oldham while Bobby Grant and Garry Thompson will be hoping to fill the gaps.

Thompson staked his claim after stepping off the substitutes’ bench to score a late winner at Oldham.

Strikers Connor Jennings (foot), Matt Godden (hip) and midfielder Michael Collins (Achilles) remain long-term absentees.

Preston v Scunthorpe preview

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Preston boss Darren Ferguson will be without winger Keith Treacy, who was sent off for a professional foul during Saturday’s thumping 3-0 defeat at Derby and is now suspended.

Centre-back Wayne Brown missed the Pride Park reverse with a tight hamstring and could remain sidelined as Sean St Ledger and Craig Morgan continue at the heart of the defence.

Ferguson said: “Wayne’s niggle in his hamstring has happened too many times and we really need to have a look at it.”

Midfielder Darel Russell is available again after serving a one-match ban at the weekend following his red card against Reading.

After Scunthorpe’s visit, Crystal Palace visit Deepdale on Saturday and Ferguson said: “It is important we get six points from our two home games and it isn’t going to be easy.”

Scunthorpe boss Ian Baraclough could again be without midfielder Kevin McDonald.

The Burnley man joined the Iron on loan last week but a back injury ruled him out of Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Doncaster and is still troubling him.

However, winger Garry Thompson made his comeback from a groin injury as a substitute at the weekend and looks set to play some part again.

Jim McNulty remains sidelined with an ankle injury but defender Eddie Nolan, on loan at Scunthorpe from Preston, is eligible to face his parent club at Deepdale.

The 22-year-old will also be able to take on the Lilywhites at Glanford Park on December 26, with his initial six-month loan set to expire after the home encounter with Watford a week later.