Preston North End face Sheffield United at Deepdale on Tuesday night in desperate need of a victory.
After just 5 points from their opening 13 games, Preston will match the record set by Rotherham in 2004-05 for the fewest points earned after 14 matches in a Championship campaign if they lose to the Blades.
Graham Alexander’s side slumped to a tepid 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday, but will return to Deepdale knowing they put in a full-blooded performance which earned a rousing reception from The Gentry in their last home game against West Brom.
North end will need to replicate that energy and commitment under the lights against Chris Wilder’s outfit, who have seven points from their last three outings alone and sit 10th in the table, if they are to get a positive result.
There didn’t appear to be any fresh injury concerns for Alexander coming out of Stoke, with Harry Clarke, Lewis Gibson, Liam Gibbs and Ali McCann the only absentees at present.
The manager has plenty of selection dilemmas, starting with which formation he goes for. Alexander unexpectedly switched to a 4-2-3-1 at Stoke, which came as a surprise given the back-three had started to click against WBA.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the 3-4-1-2 returned against Sheffield United, with a couple of changes to personnel as well...
5. RWB - Stanley Mills
Mills only came on off the bench late on at Stoke so didn't get much of a chance to play as a dedicated winger in the 4-2-3-1, with the side missing his pace in transition. Whatever formation the manager goes for, Mills surely has to be back in the side? | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
6. CM - Brad Potts
Hampered by a booking, Potts struggled to really impact the game in a more advanced position at Stoke. However, the midfield had looked the most balanced under Alexander with the veteran in alongside Leo Leroy. The boss may return to that duo, with Jordan Thompson dropping out. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
7. CM - Leo Leroy
It was Leroy's loose touch that lost the ball in a dangerous position for Stoke's second, but he remains a clear cut above on the ball. Will almost certainly start. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
8. LWB - Andrija Vukcevic
Vukcevic has now played 90 minutes three games in a row and says himself he is feeling fit. He wasn't able to get forward as much as a left-back but has been one of Preston's biggest outlets as a wing-back with his dangerous deliveries. Caleb Wiley may be pushing for an inclusion but Alexander has not yet played him since he returned to fitness. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (