Preston North End travel to Wrexham on Saturday in dire need of a victory.
Graham Alexander has lost his first two games in charge, suffering a 4-0 battering by Birmingham City on Tuesday night, leaving Preston rock bottom of the Championship table.
North End travel to Wales with a depleted squad, as Harry Clarke, Liam Gibbs and almost certainly Johnny Kenny will miss out through injury alongside Ali McCann and Brad Potts, while Stanley Mills is suspended after his red card in the Second City.
Lewis Gibson at least returned to action at St. Andrew’s after illness, and on-loan left-back Caleb Wiley has returned to training this week and could be in contention.
Alexander’s back-three formation has not worked so far and he’s hinted there could be a change to the set-up, just like he did after suffering two defeats in his first game as Bradford City manager.
But with a lack of available wingers, a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 has draw backs as well. As a result, the manager may turn to a 4-1-2-12 diamond formation he has utilised in the past.
Here’s how Preston could line up against Wrexham.
9. CAM - Alfie Devine
It was another quiet display from Devine on Tuesday and he really needs to start living up to the price tag, but he would benefit from playing in a central role, like the tip of the diamond. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
10. ST - Delano Burgzorg
Yet to show any real quality, but Preston could use Burgzorg's energy and pace in the forward areas. With Kenny out, there's little other option. | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 ( Photo: Photographer Dave Howarth / CameraSport
11. ST - Jusef Erabi
It is tough to see Alexander playing two out and out strikers, but they need bodies in the box and they need goals. Erabi hasn't been great so far, but there's not much other choice. It may be an attacking line-up, but something needs to change and things can't get much worse... Can they? | World Copyright © 2026 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (
