What are the likely line-ups? Who are the key men? Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion - All you need to know

ALSO READ >>>>>> Memory Match: Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion

Likely line-ups

PNE: Maxwell, Fisher, Huntington, Davies, Hughes, Pearson, Ledson, Barker, Browne, Barkhuizen, Robinson

WBA: Johnstone, Dawson, Hegazi, Bartley, Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, Gibbs, Barnes, Gayle, Rodriguez

Key men

Ben Pearson: The midfielder’s absence through suspension has been keenly felt with his return in the League Cup a welcome one. Immediately gave a reminder of what he brings and the 23-year-old will be key to keeping the Baggies quiet.

Jay Rodriguez: The striker was widely expected to stay in the top flight and was the subject of interest from hometown club Burnley during the transfer window. Has underlined his Premier League credentials already, leading the way for WBA with six goals.

In the visiting dugout

Darren Moore: The former centre-half was appointed as the Baggies manager in the summer after a stint as caretaker boss following the sacking of Alan Pardew in April. He made a decent fist at keeping Albion in the Premier League but couldn’t stop them dropping into the Championship. Albion were one of eight clubs he served as a player, making more than 100 appearances for the Hawthorns outfit. He started his career at Torquay and was sent-off at Deepdale in the Gulls’ 4-1 defeat to PNE in the 1994 play-offs.

The referee

Tony Harrington: The Cleveland official will be in charge of Preston’s clash with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. It is the second time in a month that Mr Harrington had refereed North End – he showed a red card to Ryan Ledson in the 2-0 win against Leeds at Elland Road in the League Cup. Last season, he was in the middle for two Preston games – the opening day win over Sheffield Wednesday and the Easter Monday defeat to Derby County.

This week in PNE history

55 years ago: Preston beat Huddersfield 2-1 at Deepdale on September 28, 1963. Alex Dawson and Alan Spavinfound the net in front of a crowd of 15,842.

45 years ago: Goals from Alex Bruce and Stuart Baxter gave North End a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Deepdale on September 29, 1973.

34 years ago: On September 29, 1984, PNE came out on the wrong end of a remarkable clash with Plymouth Argyle, losing 6-4 at Holme Park. They led 4-3 but having had Jon Clark sent-off, their 10 men succumbed to the hosts. Clark had scored twice with John Kelly getting the other two.

29 years ago: Goals from Bob Atkins and Brian Mooney gave North End a 2-1 victory over rivals Blackpool at Deepdale on September 26, 1989.