|
He gave a clear indication that Arthur would be in the side and said that Tuesday’s game is behind him and it is now time to look forward and crack on.
Quite where all that leaves the team is difficult to imagine and it is without the central defensive positions where most questions will be asked with Davis apparently not the most likely option should Coxy miss out again.
Whether Stan would opt to go with Mark McGregor and Arthur again though is doubtful and I do think on this occasion he could just be tempted to move the skipper back.
I think the starting line up could look something like: Marlon Beresford, Dean West, Steve Davis, Arthur Gnohere, Graham Branch, Glen Little, Paul Weller, Lee Briscoe, Ian Moore, Gareth Taylor, Robbie Blake.
Alan Moore looked very impressive when he came on as a sub at Grimsby and showed us just what he is capable of, it would be a real boost for the Clarets if he could show the sort of form he did at the beginning of last season.
Moore though will probably have to settle for a place on the bench alongside four from Mark McGregor, Paul Cook, Tony Grant, Brad Maylett, Dimitri Papadopoulos.
Stan though is not worried about the late kick off time, in fact he claimed that his only concern with the 5:35 start was the fact that he wouldn't get into his local, the Kettledrum, as early for a pint.
Jamaican Ricardo Fuller is available for Preston again after serving a three match ban and manager Craig Brown has given a clear indication that he will come straight back into the starting line up. Iain Anderson could also be set for a recall and Brown has cited the fact that he has tended to do well against the Clarets in the last couple of seasons.
They will include a player who was wearing Claret and Blue just before the start of the season in Marlon Broomes but he opted for Deepdale after we could only offer him a short term deal.
Rob Edwards and Eric Skora picked up knocks at Portsmouth last Tuesday but both are expected to be fit enough to retain their places as is Dickson Etuhu who was injured in a reserve game.
Preston lined up at Portsmouth: David Lucas, Graham Alexander, Marlon Broomes, Mark Rankine, Colin Murdock, Paul McKenna, Eddie Lewis, Chris Lucketti, Richard Cresswell, Eric Skora, Rob Edwards. Subs not used: Tepi Moilanen, Dixon Etuhu, Michael Jackson, Pawel Abbott, David Healy. The only change expected is the return of Fuller.
For more on Preston, a look back at past results and a player from both clubs check out our Match Preview