Alex Neil went for a change of formation for Preston North End's Championship clash with Stoke City at Deepdale.

The PNE boss opted for a 3-5-2 system, choosing Jordan Storey, Patrick Bauer and Ben Davies at the back.

Tom Barkhuizen and Scott Sinclair were to provide the width at wing-back, with Ryan Ledson, Ben Pearson and Alan Browne inside of them.

Up front, Jayden Stockley and Sean Maguire were paired together.

Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley made the starting XI against Stoke City at Deepdale

placeholder image — Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley made the starting XI against Stoke City at Deepdale

Full-backs Joe Rafferty and Andrew Hughes were both named on the bench but there was no Darnell Fisher in the match day squad because of injury.

North End's formation matched-up that of Stoke.

PNE: Rudd, Storey, Bauer, Davies, Barkhuizen, Pearson, Ledson, Browne, Sinclair, Maguire, Stockley. Subs: Harrop, Gallagher, Rafferty, Hughes, Bodin, Potts, Ripley.

Stoke: Davies, Souttar, Chester, Fox, Smith, Mikel, Clucas, McClean, Oakley-Boothe, Gregory, Fletcher. Subs: Batth, Brown, Powell, Campbell, Thompson, Tymon, Butland.

Referee: Matt Donohue (Manchester)