The man with the whistle for Saturday’s first game after the international break is referee Peter Bankes.
Making his first appearance at Deepdale since last October’s home victory over Aston Villa, the match official will be taking charge of his ninth game of the season, having issued 26 cautions and two reds so far this campaign.
Last season’s clash with the Villains was his third visit to Deepdale as referee. His first was the 2014/15 season’s 3-2 home win over Port Vale in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and then in 2015/16 he was here for the last game of 2015, when we defeated Hull City 1-0 just after Christmas.
This is his fourth year on the Football League referee’s list having also taken charge of our win at Chesterfield in February 2015, when Joe Garner scored twice on his return from a period out injured and last season’s defeat at Leeds United in April.
He will be assisted at the weekend by Tim Wood and Mark Dwyer and fellow select group two match official Darren Bond will be the fourth official.