Preston North End will look for a third successive victory over Middlesbrough this weekend, as Michael Carrick takes charge of his first game for the visitors.
Match Information
Venue: Deepdale
Date: Saturday 29th October, 3pm kick-off
Competition: Sky Bet Championship (Matchday 18/46)
Kit: Home kit – available in-store and online!
Supporter Information
Tickets for this fixture will remain on sale right up until kick-off from the Deepdale ticket office, while fans can also buy online from www.mypne.com or over the phone on 0344 856 1966.
Part of Lowthorpe Road by the Bill Shankly Kop will be closed prior to the game for visiting coaches, therefore any supporters looking to access the Invincibles car park are advised to approach the stadium via Blackpool Road, turning onto St Gregory Road and then onto Lowthorpe Road.
Our fan zone will be open before and after the game as usual, with doors opening at 12 noon. A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available, with a full list to be confirmed in our matchday information article which will be posted prior to the weekend.
How To Follow The Game
Supporters in the UK and Ireland can listen to the game live on iFollow PNE, with commentary coming from Guy Clarke and David Buchanan.
Fans overseas can also watch the game, with both audio and match passes available here.
You can also follow all of the action across our social media platforms and here on PNE.Com.
In The Dressing Room
Andrew Hughes is back on the grass after missing last weekend’s game with a thigh injury, but a late decision will need to be made over whether Saturday will come too soon.
Greg Cunningham should be available to Ryan Lowe after recovering from a bout of illness, as he felt the after effects of the bug which went through the group a few weeks back.
Having recently had his appendix removed, central defender Patrick Bauer is now back in training, but he is not likely to return until after the World Cup break.
A Look At Our Visitors
A new era begins at Boro this weekend, with former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick taking charge of his first game following his appointment as head coach earlier in the week.
Chris Wilder had began the season in charge at the Riverside and with high hopes of pushing towards the Play-Off places, but performances and results didn’t materialise, and a change was made.
Despite currently sitting 21st, given the nature of the division this season, it is certainly not too late for Carrick to go in at Boro and change their fortunes to push towards that top six.
Going Head To Head
Games played: 105
PNE wins: 33
Draws: 26
Middlesbrough wins: 46
Last meeting: PNE 4-1 Middlesbrough, 7th May 2022
One To Watch
As is always the case when a new manager takes over, it’s tricky to predict his first XI, but it would be a surprise to see Isaiah Jones anywhere but the starting line-up.
Jones – who signed from Tooting and Mitcham in 2019 – broke through onto the scene at the beginning of last season, going on to register eight assists in the Championship, and his impressive performances have carried over into this campaign.
The right wing back already has two goals and three assists to his name this term, and he is reportedly attracting the attention of a few Premier League clubs.
Match Officials
Gavin Ward will take charge of his first PNE game of the season on Saturday.
He last refereed North End in December 2021 – a 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park – while the last time PNE won with Ward as the main official was in late 2020, in the fantastic 3-2 victory away at AFC Bournemouth.
So far this season, Ward has shown 45 yellow cards in 13 matches, and he will be assisted this weekend by Matthew Jones and Adam Crysell, with Peter Wright on fourth official duty.