PNE's Darnell Fisher suspended for Fulham clash

Fisher’s yellow card in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland was his fifth of the campaign, triggering a one-match ban.

His caution on Saturday was for kicking the ball away after being pulled-up for a foul on Lee Cattermole.

The 23-year-old has been booked in his last four games, adding to the yellow card he got in the home win over Reading in August.

Signed from Rotherham 10 days before the start of the season, Fisher has impressed in the right-back role.

He has started all but one of North End’s Championship games, a groin strain keeping him out of the 3-1 victory at Birmingham.

Calum Woods filled in for him at St Andrews and would be one of two options to play at Fulham – Marnick Vermijl is the other.

Woods’ appearance in the Birmingham game was his first start since the final day of the 2015/16, a torn cruciate ligament having kept him out in the meantime.

Game-time for Vermijl has been limited so far this season.

The Belgian’s only start came at Accrington Stanley in the Caraboa Cup, while he replaced Woods for the last 10 minutes at Birmingham.

He was back in the squad for the Sunderland game but was an unused substitute.

On the injury front, North End hope the international front will provide sufficient time to shorten the injury list.

Ben Pearson missed all of September’s games with a thigh injury.

A bout of shingles meant Paul Gallagher played only twice – a start against Barnsley and a run as a late sub in the victory over Cardiff.

John Welsh was missing from the squad at the weekend due to a calf niggle.

North End boss Alex Neil said: “It was a niggle on the calf and as John was out for nearly a year with his calf last season, it was a concern.

“John has given me more than I expected from him, with him going Saturday and Tuesday the other week.

“I didn’t think it would be fair for him to go again for the Sunderland game.

“He wasn’t right and we didn’t want to take any risks.”

Tom Barkhuizen came off in the second half on Saturday and was limping, that down to fatigue according to Neil.

Said Neil: “Tom was going to come off anyway, I had the sub ready. With three games in a week, he’d run himself into the ground.”