Big match focus: PNE v QPR

MEET THE BOSS: Ian HollowayThe 53-year-old was named QPR manager in November, succeeding Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Ian HollowayIan Holloway
Ian Holloway

It marked a return to Loftus Road, with Holloway having managed them for five years between 2001 and 2006. He started his managerial career at Bristol Rovers and then following his first spell at QPR, went on to work at Plymouth, Leicester, Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Millwall. In his playing days, Holloway was a midfielder with Bristol Rovers, Wimbledon, Brentford and QPR.

MEET THE REF: David Coote

The Nottinghamshire official will pay his second visit of the season to Deepdale to take charge of PNE’s clash with Queens Park Rangers. He was the man with the whistle for the 1-0 home defeat to Derby in August. This is his 31st assignment of the season, the last of those being Brighton’s 2-0 win at Barnsley last week. Mr Coote has shown 107 yellow cards and five red this term and is among the Select Group 2 panel of referees in the Championship.

THIS WEEK:

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55 years ago: This week in 1962, Preston beat Liverpool 1-0 in an FA Cup fifth round second replay. It was played at neutral Old Trafford after games at Anfield and Deepdale had both ended in goalless draws. In front of a 43,944 crowd, Peter Thompson netted North End’s winner.

41 years ago: On February 24, 1976, the Lilywhites swept aside Southend United at Deepdale, winning 5-1. John Smith and Mike Elwiss both netted twice, with Ray Treacy scoring the other.

30 years ago: North End won 3-2 at Hereford United on February 25, 1987. Gary Brazil scored twice and Frank Worthington’s first goal in a Preston shirt delivered the victory for John McGrath’s promotion-chasers at Edgar Street.