North End boss Alex Neil will see a familiar face when he arrives in Swansea on Saturday, with the Jacks' assistant manager Billy Reid his former boss at Hamilton Academical.
Reid, Graham Potter's No.2 in South Wales, was needed to take the pre-match press conference for the weekend's game, due to an illness to the Swans' chief and he spoke warmly about his former captain, who eventually succeeded him as manager.
“When the fixtures came out it just had to be Preston in the first home game,” Reid told swanseacity.com.
“Alex was my leader on the pitch as he helped bring through the youngsters at Accies. In my latter years at Hamilton he was my player-assistant coach.
“He was a feisty player, but I could tell then that he had the demeanour and drive to go into management.
“He’s done very well so far, and now he’s impressing with Preston. He is a good friend and it will be interesting to battle with Alex on Saturday.”
City have had a number of excellent years in the Premier League and started their campaign to get straight back there with an impressive win at Sheffield United on the opening weekend, but Reid is not getting carried away at the hop of a quick and easy return to the top table of English football.
“We go into the game on the back of a very good win at Sheffield United, but we can’t be complacent,” he continued.
“We can’t just turn up and roll Preston over because that won’t be the case.
“I’ve watched Preston a number of times last season and this season they are a real robust side.
“Every Preston player will be at it. They will compete for everything and chase every ball. They had a fantastic season last year so they are expecting something of the same.”