The cup dream over, Preston must now concentrate on the bread and butter of the league with a London calling. London Road to be exact, formerly the home of North End's new boss Darren Ferguson and for many years the abode of Sean St. Ledger.
Hopefully it will be many happy returns from a PNE point of view, the Lilywhites would dearly love to record their first victory for their new manager at Peterborough as they look to get a faultering Coca-Cola Championship campaign back on track.
All eyes will be on North End's latest recruit Danny Welbeck, the Manchester United loanee is sure to play some part in the match and fingers will be crossed that he can make an immediate impact and write the kind of headlines which the folk of Preston are desperate for him to make.
North End showed enough glimpses of a return to form against Premiership big hitters Chelsea to suggest that Darren Ferguson's new beginning at Deepdale is destined for good times. Ferguson should have a big squad to choose from with Youl Mawene and Michael Hart making swift returns to action to add to the competition in defence.
Ferguson must decide whether to remain with the 4-5-1 formation which subdued a rampant Chelsea side for large parts of Saturday's match or go for a more gung-ho approach against a Posh outfit which is firmly rooted to the bottom of the Championship.
Peterborough United v Preston North End
Coca-Cola Championship
Tuesday 26th January 2010 7.45pm
London Road
Darren Ferguson's Team News
"I am sure Danny [Welbeck] will do well, I am sure he will excite the fans but I don't want to put too much pressure on the lad, he is only 19, but he is a good signing for us, there is no doubt about that.
"It's not a one man team all of a sudden, Danny is a young lad who had has come here for games but we have got other strikers at the club who are very much a part of it, that's important and they all know that anyway.
"Danny gives us that pace and that penetration and that might make us a bit of a different team to play against."
The Opposition
Mark Cooper's Peterborough United side have won just the once since Darren Ferguson's departure in November, a 2-1 victory over Watford.
The Posh have recorded some creditable draws at London Road under their new manager, 2-2 was the score against both Middlesbrough and Swansea and then of course there was that epic 4-4 affair against Cardiff when they came from four goals behind.
Cooper is facing something of an injury crisis ahead of North End's visit with George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith both doubtful whilst Exodus Geohaghon and Gabby Zakuani definitely out.
North End have been linked with a couple of Peterborough players since Ferguson's arrival and one of those players, Paul Coutts, was left out of the side for Saturday's defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
Peterborough are likely to go with recent signings Reuben Reid and Izale Mcleod as they look to penatrate North End's defence.
The Manager
"I would suggest one or two might like a move to Preston, but we've got a lot of lads who want to stay and fight.
"They are Peterborough players and they've got to give everything.
"Rather than to sell, I'd prefer a fully focused Aaron Mclean who wants to go out and put a shift in because we can't afford anyone better.
"It makes no difference to me; they're only allowed 11 men and so are we. So at a quarter to eight on Tuesday it's 11 versus 11 and we'll see what happens."
Cooper looks forward to Darren Ferguson's London Road return and hopes that not too many of his players want to go back to the North West with him on BBC Cambridgeshire.
The Player
"I'm never injured so I am not sure what this could be. I've had treatment yesterday and today so we will see how it is tomorrow.
"It's a game everyone wants to play in, we need the three points desperately so I will do everything I can to be fit.
"It's touch and go."
George Boyd tells PUTV that he'll do everything he can to play against North End.
Head-to-Head
PNE's all time record against Peterborough United W4 D6 L8
PNE's all time league record against Peterborough United W3 D6 L8
Last Meeting
Preston North End 2 Peterborough United 0
(Mellor 8, Jones 30)
Saturday 22nd August 2009
Coca-Cola Championship
Deepdale
PNEBetting.com Odds
Peterborough United 6/4 Draw 23/10 Preston North End 7/4
PNEBetting.com Selected Bet
Sean St. Ledger to score first in a 2-0 win - 165/1.
PNE Player
Preston North End's heroic striker from the 1996 promotion campaign, Steve Wilkinson, will be on co-commentary duties from 7pm on Tuesday night. PNE Player is still availabe for just £17.99.
Any Other Business?
This is not Sean St. Ledger's first return to London Road. He was in the Middlesborough team which drew 2-2 at Peterborough at the end of November.
