Simon Grayson's Preston will hope to climb out of the relegation zone this weekend but face a difficult task as they host Cardiff at Deepdale.

The Lilywhites are currently second bottom of the Championship after winning only one of their opening ten league games. They would be bottom were it not for their superior goal difference over fellow newcomers Bristol City.

The former Leeds manager has a striker crisis this weekend as he will definitely be without three of his main forwards.

Eoin Doyle is on loan from the Welsh side and is therefore ineligible while Joe Garner is banned and Jermaine Beckford is still injured. Grayson is hoping that Paul Gallagher will be passed fit to play though.

Centre-back Paul Huntington will be assessed after a calf problem with Paddy McCarthy is another certain to miss out. Bailey Wright has returned from international duty unscathed and is in contention after suspension while full-back Marnick Vermijl is also available after being ineligible last time out.

Cardiff earned a good point against Brighton in their last match and they will hope to take advantage of Preston's poor form and continue their strong start to the season.

Russell Slade is expected to partner Sean Morrison and Matthew Connolly in the centre of defence with Bruno Manga, injured on international duty this week, and Ben Turner out for some time.

Manga has a groin problem and the former Leyton Orient manager said that he expects the Gabon international to be out for around eight to nine weeks, while Turner is expected to be out for around a month.

Some positive news for Slade is that captain David Marshall is back from suspension and he is expected to start ahead of Simon Moore.

Preston and Cardiff fans...What are your predictions for the match? Can Preston climb away from the relegation zone? Will Cardiff get themselves back into the play-off places? Let us know what you think in the comments below!