PRESTON
Lonergan
Jones, Chilvers, Collins, Davidson
Wallace, Carter, Chaplow, Parry
Mellor, Brown

Aliadiere, Lita
Johnson, Digard, Williams, ONeil
Pogatetz, St Ledger, Wheater, Hoyte
Jones
MIDDLESBROUGH

Middlesbrough subs (from): Coyne, McMahon, Bennett, Grounds, Arca, Walker, Yeates, Emnes, Franks.
Preston subs (from): Shumulikoski, Henderson, Elliott, Hart, Mawene, Nolan, Parkin, Sedgwick.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Caretaker manager Colin Cooper is expected to name an unchanged side as he stands in for the departed Gareth Southgate.

Julio Arca is available again after the suspension, but the Argentine will have to make do with a place on the bench. Jeremie Aliadiere suffered a knock in Tuesday's win over Derby, but the French striker is expected to be fit enough to feature at Deepdale. The fit-again Emanuel Pogatetz could replace Joe Bennett at full-back.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Hines (knee), Riggott (ankle), Taylor (ankle), Bates (knee), Folan (hamstring)
Last five league games: WLWLD
Leading league scorer: Johnson 7
Next game: vs Plymouth (H) 31/10/09

PRESTON: Skipper Callum Davidson should return to Preston's starting line-up this afternoon after recovering from a torn hamstring. Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan will give up the armband after wearing it in the midweek win at Sheffield Wednesday. Paul Parry may start after being named as an unused substitute at Hillsborough, but midfielder Barry Nicholson (broken leg) remains out.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Nicholson (leg)
Last five league games: WLDLW
Leading league scorer: Mellor 6
Key Player: Ross Wallace - The former Sunderland winger has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to Deepdale.

Last season: No corresponding game
League head to head: Middlesbrough 35, Preston 26, Draws 19
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northampton) G4 Y9 R0 Ave: 2.25
Last Middlesbrough game: Not applicable
Odds: H13/10; A13/8; D11/5

It's a fact: Middlesbrough have only lost one of their last eight matches at Preston.
Comment by Paul Fraser: With Preston riding high, Gordon Strachan might have made a wise move to sit this one out.
Prediction: 2-1