Play-off chasing Preston North End entertain relegation threatened Stoke City at Deepdale in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Two close friends go head-to-head as Ryan Lowe, who could have taken his mate to Lancashire, faces Steven Schumacher who is tasked with keeping the Potters up. The pair worked together at Plymouth Argyle and when Lowe left in 2021, Schumacher could have come with him but he stayed and instead won the League One title. Schumacher decided to leave himself in December, swapping Home Park for the bet365 Stadium.
The Lilywhites were due to play Southampton on Wednesday night but their game was postponed because of a fire at St Mary's Stadium. A day earlier Stoke lost 1-0 to Leeds United, and former North End midfielder Ben Pearson dismissed for two bookable offences. Stoke have Daniel Johnson on their books but he's not featured in the first-team picture for a few weeks whilst Paul Gallagher is part of Schumacher's backroom staff, working as first-team coach.
PNE have lost just two of their last 12 league games against Stoke, winning seven and drawing three. They have scored more than two goals in seven of those meetings. Stoke are unbeaten across their last three visits to Preston however, winning twice and drawing once.
North End do boast good home form however and are unbeaten in their last five home league games. The last time they went six without defeat at home was in April 2023 which was seven. Stoke's away form isn't the best either, and they've lost in their last four outings, which is their worst run on the road since March 2021.
Only Stevenage have suffered more defeats at the hands of a Ryan Lowe managed side than Stoke. Lowe has a record of three wins and one defeat in the four clashes that he's had with the Staffordshire outfit. Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of kick-off.
1. Brad Potts - minor doubt
Suffered a hamstring injury against Cardiff City in February. He's returned ahead of schedule. Could return this weekend or Ryan Lowe might be cautious and instead play him against Plymouth Argyle.
2. Brad Potts - minor doubt (continued)
Ryan Lowe said: "Pottsy is fine. He's ticked all the boxes... Pottsy will get through training and we will see whether he's available. We had planned for him to be back for the Plymouth game and he was obviously back a few days earlier. We have to be cautious with it. "It's just whether we decide to use him, because it's been four or five weeks. You don't want to just thrust him back in, but if he gets through today we will see how he is."
3. Ched Evans - out
He'll be missing for a few weeks having had a 'clear out' of his knee. He's not played since the FA Cup game against Chelsea, and is likely to return after the international break.
4. PRESTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Ched Evans of Preston North End in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Cardiff City at Deepdale on November 25, 2023 in Preston, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
"He has had a bit of a clear out in his knee," said Ryan Lowe. "It's a precaution, really, to take some stuff out of there that was giving him some grief. "He won't be too long. It was the best thing to do, rather than manage him and get him through the pain barrier. It is nice and clean inside. "It will benefit him in the long run. We just thought to go and see the specialist and let him decide what to do. He will be a few weeks - probably after the international break we will have him back. "I am just pleased for Ched, that it's done now and he can crack on getting back fit."