Preston North End direct their attention back to the EFL Championship as they host Bristol City at Deepdale.
Ryan Lowe's side are in search of their first positive result of 2024 after losing to Sunderland on New Year's Day and then to Chelsea in the FA Cup last Saturday. North End conceded four goals without reply at Stamford Bridge, but there won't be a free weekend at the end of the month with Millwall knocked out too.
The men from the West Country are PNE's opponents this weekend and they have a different manager from the opening day meeting. Nigel Pearson oversaw the 1-1 draw in which Will Keane equalised after Sam Bell's opener, but now Liam Manning is in charge.
Bristol City drew 1-1 with West Ham United last time out, as Tommy Conway cancelled out Jarrod Bowen's opener. Three places separate the 11th-placed Robins and North End in 14th - but such is the nature of the Championship, there is only a one point difference.
A win for North End would see them overtake City and potentially climb up to eighth - whilst City could go as high as seventh. The visitors have several players currently ruled out with injury, but there's a possibility that one of their summer signings could make his debut. Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of Preston North End v Bristol City on Saturday, January 13.
5. Ross McCrorie - doubt (continued)
Liam Manning said on January 11: “He’s a lot closer, I think that was definitely the right step in the right direction, the way we want him to go. “He’s been back in full training for a while and progressively added match minutes so he’ll be close to being involved. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
6. Mark Sykes - out
Mark Sykes is nursing a hamstring injury and will miss a second game in a row. He's also likely to miss the game against West Ham. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: AFP via Getty Images
7. Kal Naismith - out
Kal Naismith suffered a hamstring injury at the end of November and has been dealt a few complications when trying to return. | Dan Mullan Photo: Dan Mullan
8. Kal Naismith - out (continued)
Liam Manning said on January 11: “We’re not going to see Kal for a little while, he’s had a little bit of a clean up." Photo: George Wood