North End boss Simon Grayson has an almost fully fit squad to choose from for Saturday’s trip to Walsall.
And the Lilywhites chief admits that the excellent attitude of the players in training and in the reserve team fixtures is making it very difficult for him to leave anyone out.
Speaking ahead of the trip down the M6 to the Banks’s Stadium the gaffer said: “Everyone has returned fine from international duty. Chris Humphrey didn’t go away in the end, which means he will be fresh and the squad will be all back together today, meaning we have everyone available.
“Kyel Reid got 90 minutes under his belt on Tuesday, which was great for him and he is moving quickly and edging closer to a first team return, so we are in a good state with the squad at the moment.
“I have a good idea in my head what the team is going to be, but it is good that I am seeing such a good attitude from everyone in training and in reserve games and that attitude and recognition can get players into the first team.
“We have plenty of options to consider and will be going to Walsall looking for a similar result to last year.”
Last year’s 3-0 triumph in the midlands was North End’s first three-pointer of the 2013/14 campaign, but Simon acknowledged that a repeat will be very difficult to attain.
“We put in a really good performance last year,” he continued. “But it will be a tough game against a team who will be a little disappointed about how their season has started, but when that happens you are always desperate to get that first victory, so we know what to expect.
“It was a good performance last season. It was the first time we had used the 3-5-2 formation in the league and there were some good individual performances.
“It is a tight ground, very much like Scunthorpe where we got a good result this year, and hopefully we can carry on that sort of vein with a performance and a result, although we cannot underestimate Walsall.
“They have achieved a lot over the past few years and have some good players. They have had a turnaround of players and Dean will be working hard to get them back to where they have been in the past few years.
“They have been at the top end of the table for a few seasons, but they have lost a few players, which makes it difficult for any manager, but they will be desperate to get a result.
“It is never an easy place to go when you are in need of a result because they make it hard for you.”
Speaking ahead of the trip down the M6 to the Banks’s Stadium the gaffer said: “Everyone has returned fine from international duty. Chris Humphrey didn’t go away in the end, which means he will be fresh and the squad will be all back together today, meaning we have everyone available.
“Kyel Reid got 90 minutes under his belt on Tuesday, which was great for him and he is moving quickly and edging closer to a first team return, so we are in a good state with the squad at the moment.
“I have a good idea in my head what the team is going to be, but it is good that I am seeing such a good attitude from everyone in training and in reserve games and that attitude and recognition can get players into the first team.
“We have plenty of options to consider and will be going to Walsall looking for a similar result to last year.”
Last year’s 3-0 triumph in the midlands was North End’s first three-pointer of the 2013/14 campaign, but Simon acknowledged that a repeat will be very difficult to attain.
“We put in a really good performance last year,” he continued. “But it will be a tough game against a team who will be a little disappointed about how their season has started, but when that happens you are always desperate to get that first victory, so we know what to expect.
“It was a good performance last season. It was the first time we had used the 3-5-2 formation in the league and there were some good individual performances.
“It is a tight ground, very much like Scunthorpe where we got a good result this year, and hopefully we can carry on that sort of vein with a performance and a result, although we cannot underestimate Walsall.
“They have achieved a lot over the past few years and have some good players. They have had a turnaround of players and Dean will be working hard to get them back to where they have been in the past few years.
“They have been at the top end of the table for a few seasons, but they have lost a few players, which makes it difficult for any manager, but they will be desperate to get a result.
“It is never an easy place to go when you are in need of a result because they make it hard for you.”