Preston North End predicted XI vs Cardiff City with changes made by Paul Heckingbottom

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom could freshen things up for tonight’s match against Cardiff City at Deepdale.

The Lilywhites are looking to get back to winning ways in the Championship after drawing with Stoke City and losing at Derby County. This evening they face another side battling for survival in the second tier; the Bluebirds head into the contest sitting 22nd in the table.

Heckingbottom’s options are unlikely to change for the match with Freddie Woodman, Jack Whatmough, Ali McCann and Brad Potts remaining on the sidelines - while Andrew Hughes is a doubt to return against his hometown club.

Watford loan man Ryan Porteous is there if the PNE boss wishes to rotate in defence. Jordan Storey, though, was one of the better performers last time out and it is the number 14 who would likely drop out for the Scotland international.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden will almost certainly continue at right wing-back but Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma could slot in on the opposite flank - with Robbie Brady rested ahead of the weekend’s trip to Leeds United.

Should Heckingbottom wish to switch things up in the middle of the park, both Ryan Ledson and Mads Frokjaer will be fresh after starting on the bench versus Stoke. Emil Riis and Milutin Osmajic didn’t combine as hoped last weekend so one up top could be something considered by Preston’s manager.

Predicted PNE XI vs Cardiff City

(3-4-2-1): Dai Cornell; Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Lewis Gibson, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Ben Whiteman, Stefan Thordarson, Jayden Meghoma, Mads Frokjaer, Sam Greenwood, Milutin Osmajic.

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