After starting the final week before the last international break of 2021 so well with wins over Luton Town and table-topping AFC Bournemouth, Preston North End were brought back down to earth with a bang against Nottingham Forest.

The Lilywhites headed to the City Ground with almost 2,000 travelling fans behind them but it was an afternoon to forget on Trentside as Frankie McAvoy's side slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Steve Cooper's outfit.

With internationals now done until March, the fixtures will come thick and fast for PNE, who have moved up a place in the table without playing for nearly two weeks following Reading's six-point deduction.

 

 

 

 

16th meets 20th at Deepdale tomorrow as PNE host Cardiff City, now managed by Steve Morison after he replaced Mick McCarthy in the dugout - but who will be in McAvoy's starting 11? Let's take a look.

There's not that much in the way of changes from that demoralising loss to Forest but both come at the top end of the pitch.

McAvoy went for a different system in that match with two attacking midfielders supporting a lone striker in Emil Riis - the pairing being Brad Potts and Daniel Johnson.

Neither man did much to convince that they should be starting against the Bluebirds and PNE have deputies in their ranks, with Sean Maguire and Alan Browne potentially coming in.

The Republic of Ireland international duo missed out on the game against Forest - Browne from the squad entirely with a knock and Maguire was benched after picking up an injury of his own - but it appears that both will be ready for the visit of Morison's men especially as Browne featured for Ireland this week.

Maguire is yet to score in the league this season in 13 attempts but he has been a key player in terms of dropping deep and helping to feed Emil Riis, so he is a sure-fire starter if he's fully ready.

One area of concern from a few weeks ago will have been the status of Patrick Bauer, who hobbled off in the first half with an achilles injury.

The German giant however has been back in training as confirmed by McAvoy and should take his spot at the heart of a back three.