Head coach Frankie McAvoy is ready to field a competitive team in tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup tie against Cheltenham Town.
PNE take on the League One outfit in the third round of the competition after progressing to the stage following wins against Mansfield Town and Morecambe.
North End and the Robins will be fighting for victory which earns a place in the last 16 and with that comes another step closer to Wembley.
Speaking to iFollow, Frankie said: “I think we should take it as seriously as we can because at the end of the day if you get to the quarter-finals, semi-final or final, you end up at Wembley.
“We should go into the competition to win it, the chances are very, very slim, but at least we need to go and have a crack at it because you never know and we will do that tomorrow.
“Our task will be to try and win the game and try and get into the next round and you never know what can happen, so on we go tomorrow.”
Cheltenham made their way to the third round after wins over Bristol Rovers and Gillingham, while they currently sit ninth in the third tier following their League Two title last season.
“A really tough game,” said Frankie, when asked what he is expecting from the Robins. “Michael Duff’s done really well with them, very organised, very disciplined.
“3-5-2, 3-4-3 in terms of how they play. They’re solid, big as well and decent. I think they’re sitting ninth in the league below us so it’ll be a tough game, I don’t think there’s any question or doubt about that.
“They had a good victory on Saturday against Oxford United and they’re in good fettle. I think it’s the first time they’ll come and visit Deepdale as well so an opportunity and chance – the same as us – to get into the last 16 of a major competition.
“And that’s the focus, to try and do that and we’re in a good place. We’ve done well, six undefeated and you’re looking for that positive run to continue and we’ll try and do that tomorrow night.”
The head coach has opted for the same starting XI for each of the last four matches and he feels that's been an important factor in putting together the side's current run.
“It’s a major part in terms of team selection, a bit of continuity,” he said. “For tomorrow night, e’ll assess everybody this morning. They had a recovery day yesterday and we’ll see how they are today, with a view to putting out a strong team tomorrow night.
“That’s our task. I think every game we play in, no matter who it is, we’re going to try and win the game and the same applies tomorrow night against Cheltenham.”
Hear much more from Frankie on iFollow PNE.