The matches keep coming, and they don’t get any easier for Preston North End, with seventh-placed Southampton the next to visit Deepdale on Saturday in a game Graham Alexander could ring the changes for.
Preston suffered yet another defeat on Tuesday, losing 3-2 to Sheffield United despite a bright start, which means they have now registered the worst set of results in the first 14 games of a Championship season ever, on goal difference.
It's difficult to see where a first victory under Alexander is going to come from, but he will be doing everything he can to ensure it's on Saturday, against a Saints side undefeated in their last six.
The manager will be forced into at least two changes, as Johnny Kenny is out with a hamstring injury and Leo Leroy is unavailable through suspension, but there could be many more alterations to his side.
Alexander said 'there has to be consequences for performances' when explaining his half-time substitutions on Tuesday night, and the same could well apply to his starting XI, especially as all the players that came on played well and ensured Preston won the second-half.
Harry Clarke, Ali McCann, Liam Gibbs and Lewis Gibson all remain unavailable, but Greg Docherty is eligible to play after being signed in time as a free agent.
Whatever changes are made, the formation seems certain to be a back-three after Alexander admitted he 'made a mistake' by changing his team's shape for the trip to Stoke City.
With that in mind, here's how the team could look...
5. RWB - Stanley Mills
Mills is still getting to grips with the wing-back position and probably should have been quicker to close down Sydie Peck for his first goal. But he did improve on Tuesday, with battling tackles, hard work and some nice skill and build-up play. It's not ideal, but with Harry Clarke out, he's the best option at RWB. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
6. CM - Brad Potts
With Leo Leroy suspended in a big blow, Brad Potts is the obvious replacement. He did well in his last start in centre-midfield against West Brom. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
7. CM - Jordan Thompson
If Leroy wasn't suspended, Thompson may well have been a candidate to be dropped. New signing Greg Docherty may be fit enough to be involved and he has trained for nearly two weeks, but it seems unlikely Alexander will throw him straight into the fray. Leaving Thompson as the only option. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
8. LWB - Caleb Wiley
Andrija Vukcevic teed up Leroy's goal but lost Peck for the third and was taken off at half-time. Wiley did well in the spot in his first minutes for Alexander and impressed him. Could likely come into the team from the off for his first start in more than two months. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (