Hull City v Preston North End likely line-ups, key men, the referee and all you need to know ahead of Championship clash

Tom Barkhuizen battles with Jarrod Bowen during PNE's win at Hull last season

How many points should Preston North End be looking for from the next batch of g...

Likely line-ups

PNE: Maxwell, Fisher, Clarke, Storey, Hughes, Ledson, Johnson, Barkhuizen, Browne, Robinson, Nmecha

Hull: Marshall, Burke, Elphick. De Wijs, Kane, Batty, Henriksen, Lichaj. Bowen, Martin, Grosicki

Key men

Lukas Nmecha: Having taken time to adapt to the Championship, the Manchester City loanee put in impressive displays against Aston Villa and Wigan. A first goal for the club is the only thing missing for a man who is proving what a threat he can be.

Jarrod Bowen: Versatile forward was Hull’s top goalscorer last season, scoring in both games against PNE. Has three so far this campaign and has been the Tigers’ one consistent attacking threat. Plays from the right wing and cuts in on his favoured left.

In the home dugout

Nigel Adkins: The 53-year-old got the Hull job in December last year, taking over Leonid Slutsky who had only been in charge for six months.Adkins made his name in management by twice guiding Scunthorpe to promotion from League One. His achievements there saw him pured to the south coast by Southampton who he led to back-to-back promotions from League One through to the Premier League. His spells at Reading and Sheffield United were less successful, with him lasting just a year in the Blades job.

Referee

Gavin Ward: The Surrey referee is in charge of Preston’s clash with Hull City at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday. It will be the second time Mr Ward has refereed a North End game this season, having overseen the 2-0 defeat at Norwich in August. Prior to then, the last time he was in the middle for a PNE game was the visit to Leeds in December 2015. Mr Ward sent off Jordan Pickford for handling outside the box, a red card which was rescinded by the FA on appeal.

This week in PNE history

55 years ago: Preston won 3-2 against Manchester City at Maine Road on October 19, 1963. Alec Ashworth, Alex Dawson and Doug Holden found the net for PNE.44 years ago: On October 19, 1974, North End won 4-0 against Brighton at the Goldstone Ground. Mel Holden netted twice, with Mike Elwiss and Tony Morley on target.33 years ago: Gary Brazil’s goal helped North End to a 1-1 draw away to Rochdale on October 19, 1985.25 years ago: Goals from Tony Ellis and Gareth Ainsworth gave Preston a 2-1 win over Burnley at Deepdale in the Autoglass Trophy.21 years ago: Gary Parkinson and Lee Ashcroft scored in a 2-0 PNE win at Carlisle United on October 17, 1997.