They say a week is a long time in politics, how's about a week being a long time at Deepdale!
Seven days ago Preston North End were looking forward to their last home league game of 2009 against Barnsley with manager Alan Irvine expecting Sean St. Ledger to complete his move to Middlesbrough within the week.
Barnsley was eventually frozen off, but that seems a long, long time ago now. Sean St. Ledger has returned, for the time being and the manager has departed.
Inbetween all that we have a 1-0 goal defeat to Sheffield United which came in slightly controversial circumstances.
So what are we left with? Chairman Derek Shaw is charged with the task of finding the Club's next manager and in the meantime Robert Kelly will take temporary control of first team matters.
Sean St. Ledger's future is still unclear. The defender unexpectedly returned to Preston North End duty against the Blades but Chairman Derek Shaw has hinted that the ball is very much in Middlesbrough's court should they wish to make a permanent move for the Republic of Ireland international.
One thing is for certain, all the off-field activity will be put to one side this weekend when North End get back to action in the third round of the FA Cup.
Aidy Boothroyd's upwardly mobile Colchester United are the visitors to Deepdale and they are sure to provide a tricky test for the Lilywhites.
Preston North End v Colchester United
FA Cup third round sponsored by E.ON
Saturday 2nd January 2010 3pm
Deepdale
Robert Kelly's Team News
"Paul Parry didn't train today but we are going to have good look at him on Thursday and Friday and then we will wait and see. Ross is available, nearly everyone else is fit and available, there are the two long term ones that we know about, Barry and Youl. Hopefully everyone else has got a chance.
"Nobody was out of the picture, everyone has been involved, everyone has a chance of playing because we don't have the largest squad in the division. Everyone is in the picture, everyone has been involved this season so we will go on and we will prepare, we will work Thursday and Friday towards getting a result against a difficult team to beat in Colchester."
Adam Barton and Danny Mayor have also been added to the squad and could get an inclusion in the 18.
The Opposition
After losing their manager to Norwich at the start of the season many could have expected the U's fine start to the season to go into freefall. But a shrewd appointment by the Colchester board has continued the Essex club's progress in League One.
Aidy Boothroyd has steadied the ship at The Weston Homes Community Stadium and their recent run of form which has seen them lose just one of their last ten games has pushed them to the brink of the automatic promotion places.
That run of form has included their previous two FA Cup games, both away from home, smashing Bromley 4-0 and Hereford 1-0.
The man who has been getting the goals for Colchester is in-form striker Kevin Lisbie. Ten goals to his name already this campaign but he is on loan from Ipswich Town and it is rumoured that Roy Keane wants to cut-short Lisbie's spell at Colchester.
Elsewhere the U's have talented defender Magnus Okuonghae at the back, the former Dagenham man has been rock solid and ever present for Colchester this season. If the North End strikers manage to get beyond Okuonghae they have former Manchester United trainee goalkeeper Ben Williams to get past.
The Manager
"Kayode knows John Ward and he's settled in very well.
"The fans have taken to him and he's deserved everything he has got so far.
"There might be a bit more to come from him and we have to make sure we bring that out of him.
"We've brought a player to the club with Championship ability.
"He has done really well for us.
"He started like a house on fire and I'm sure that he'll do very well for us when he gets back in the team, because of the nature of the player."
Aidy Boothroyd in the Colchester Gazette after making former Barnsley man Kayode Odejayi a permanent signing.
The Player
"The gaffer has not lost any hope in signing me and hopefully they can sort something out.
"I've not had a call from Ipswich yet and I'll wait for them to contact me.
"I can't see myself playing there.
"I'll not move down and that was the reason why I wasn't playing before.
"Ever since I came back, the fans have been good to me.
"I'll never forget my first game back and the reception I got from the fans.
"The whole of the five months I've had have been great.
"I was part of the squad that was relegated and I really hope that I've done enough to help them get promoted.
"I got ten goals in the league and a lot of those came from playing on the right wing.
"I'd like to think that had I played all of the games up front, I would have scored even more goals.
"I have given 100 per cent in every game - I've played a few games injured and a few games when I've been ill.
"I felt like I owed Colchester that, after being part of the side that got relegated."
Speaking on gazette-news.co.uk Lisbie still holds out hope of staying at Colchester.
Head-to-Head
PNE's all time record against Colchester W10 D6 L8
PNE's all time league record against Colchester W10 D6 L8
Last Meeting
Colchester 2 Preston North End 1
(Vernon 68, Jackson 88; Mellor 81)
Tuesday 12th February 2008
Coca-Cola Championship
Layer Road
PNEBetting.com Odds
Preston 5/6 Draw 5/2 Colchester 10/3
PNEBetting.com Selected Bet
Sean St. Ledger to score first in a 3-0 win - 155/1
PNE Player
Simon Crabtree will be joined by Andy Fensome for a full match commentary of Saturday's match on PNE Player.
Any Other Business?
Don't forget that Saturday's match is unreserved seating in all areas of the ground with turnstiles in operation on the Shankly Kop, Sir Tom Finney and Alan Kelly Town End. Matchday tickets are priced at just £12 adults and £6 concessions.
