Preston North End vs Cardiff City early team and injury news as 9 out and 3 doubts

Paul Heckingbottom’s men welcome relegation-threatened Cardiff City to Deepdale tonight, with the Lilywhites looking to continue their three-game unbeaten run in the league.

North End drew 1-1 with Stoke City on Saturday, although the head coach was far from pleased with his side’s display against the 20th-placed Potters.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden opened his Preston account 10 minutes into the contest, before a controversial Lewis Baker penalty levelled the game after 75 minutes. The Lilywhites sit 14th on 47 points going into this evening’s clash.

Cardiff make the trip to Lancashire from South Wales hoping to move out of the bottom three. Omer Riza’s outfit currently occupy the final relegation position in 22nd and have won just two of their previous 11 Championship games.

It’s all set to be a fascinating clash between the two sides at Deepdale tonight, with a win for Preston solidifying their 14th-place position.

Here’s the latest injury news from both camps.

Cardiff City team news

Jak Alnwick - Out

The experienced goalkeeper has been sidelined since February after he tore his hamstring during a draw against Plymouth. Alnwick has since been ruled out for the season.

Aaron Ramsey - Out

The Wales international is another member of Riza’s squad set to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a hamstring problem. The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder underwent surgery on the issue last month.

Joe Ralls - Out

After making a return to the side more than a week ago following a calf issue, the midfielder suffered another setback and lasted just 37 minutes on his comeback against Sheffield Wednesday. Ralls is another long-term absentee and won’t feature at Deepdale.

Perry Ng - Out

The right-back was another member of the Bluesbirds’ squad to pick up an issue against the Owls at the end of March. Riza has failed to disclose Ng’s fresh injury but it’s expected he won’t feature against Preston.

Callum Chambers - Doubt

Chambers missed Saturday’s trip to the capital to face QPR due to a family issue. The defender could return to the squad this evening, according to Riza.

Anwar El Ghazi - Doubt

The winger missed the trip to Loftus Road after hurting his back in training last week. The Cardiff boss is yet to provide an update over El Ghazi’s availability tonight.

Preston North End team news

Jack Whatmough - Out

The centre-back looks set to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a calf injury. Whatmough was last seen in action for North End in January when he sustained the issue against Wycombe in the FA Cup fourth round.

Ali McCann - Out

The midfielder remains out with a calf problem picked up against Swansea City at the start of last month. The 25-year-old has missed the Lilywhites’ last seven games in all competitions and continues to be a major absence in the centre of the park for Heckingbottom.

Freddie Woodman - Out

Woodman has been surprisingly linked with a summer move to Manchester United, according to reports. The keeper is out of contract at the end of the season but won’t feature again this term for Preston, having been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Brad Potts - Out

There is still hope the midfielder could feature again this season for Heckingbottom’s side. Potts has been out since before the international break with a hamstring issue, which was sustained against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Andrew Hughes - Doubt

The Welshman was absent from the squad last time out due to a hernia. The PNE manager expects to see him feature again this season but the Cardiff clash may come around too soon.

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