Alex Neil explains why Preston North End and Millwall have plenty in common ahead of Deepdale clash

But both found the start of this term a lot more difficult and while Alex Neil’s have picked-up in the last three months, Millwall sit just one place above the relegation zone.

Lilywhites boss Alex Neil said: “Millwall had a really strong season last time.

“What Neil Harris will be looking for from them now is a bit more consistency.

“They lost key players in the summer, George Saville went to Middlesbrough and Ben Marshall’s loan ended.

“You would say that they aren’t too dissimilar to us in the fact that when you lose your best players who are sold for big money, trying to replace that quality with what you have to spend becomes difficult.”

Millwall come to Deepdale without a win in six games and yet to pick up three points on the road in the Championship this season.

Three of those six were draws however, Saturday’s 2-2 stalemate with Hull at the Den coming on the back of a 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

Neil said: “Millwall are well organised and hard to beat.

“Anyone who has beaten this season has only done so by the odd goal or two.

“They aren’t a team who rolls over, they will come and fight for every ball, make it as difficult as possible.

“It is going to be a game where we have to compete and play very well if we are to get something from it.”

Lee Gregory is Millwall’s leading scorer this season, with the former Halifax man having netted eight goals in league and cup.

Shaun Williams has five goals from midfield.

Former PNE defender Conor McLaughlin is likely to be in the Millwall squad but has not been a regular starter this term. He was on the bench last week.