Bristol City v Preston North End: Favourite drops out at Ashton Gate as three changes made
PNE face Bristol City in the Championship this afternoon and team news is in from Ashton Gate.
Preston North End favourite Ali McCann drops out of the side to face Bristol City at Ashton Gate this afternoon as Paul Heckingbottom makes three changes to the starting XI.
The popular 26-year-old impressed in the Lilywhites’ dominant 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on New Year’s Day, which saw him score and assist in the triumph.
The midfielder is one of three changes to the side from Thursday’s win at Deepdale, with Pol Valentin and Michael Smith also dropping to the bench.
Meanwhile, there’s a second start to the season for Brad Potts following his return from a hamstring injury.
Jordan Thompson comes into the engine room in place of McCann to partner Alfie Devine, while Lewis Dobbin makes his first start in three games after netting PNE’s third against the Owls.
There won’t be a reunion, from the start at least, with former North End striker Emil Riis, who is one of two changes made by Gerhard Struber for Bristol City. The frontman drops out of the starting XI in place of Sinclair Armstrong after the Irishman netted two second-half goals in the Robins rampant 5-0 win against Portsmouth last-time out.
Team news from Ashton Gate
PNE starting XI: Iversen, Offiah, Storey, Hughes, Potts, Whiteman, Thompson, Lewis, Dobbin, Devine, Osmajic. Subs: Walton, Lindsay, Valentin, McCann, Small, Frokjaer, Keane, Smith Jebbison.
Bristol City starting XI: O’Leary, Vyner, Dickie, Atkinson, McCrorie, Knight, Randell, Borges, Twine, Mehmeti, Armstrong. Subs: Lumley, Tanner, Pring, Roberts, Morsy, Hirakawa, Bell, Pecover, Riis.