The Reds are likely to be the same side that beat Wolves 1-0 last Saturday after Paul Reid has failed to fully recover from injury. Fit again Neil Austin could return at right back if Dale Tonge hasn't recovered from a knock he picked up in the midweek cup defeat to MK Dons.
Despite making a goal-scoring return with the Reserves on Wednesday Daniel Nardiello won't be considered.
Probable Line-Up:
Nick Colgan
Paul Heckingbottom
Antony Kay
Bobby Hassell
Dale Tonge/Neil Austin
Michael McIndoe
Brian Howard
Sam Togwell
Martin Devaney
Marc Richards
Paul Hayes
The Reds head to Deepdale in front of the SKY Cameras tonight looking for only their second victory there in 7 attempts dating back to 1932.
The last time Barnsley emerged from Preston with 3 points was back in October 2001. This however wasn't the last time they came away with victory.
13 months ago in the First Round of the Carling Cup, then League One Barnsley eliminated Preston on penalties after a 2-2 draw. The start of a season that was to end in a winning penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
The last time the two teams met at Deepdale in the League was back on the 8th November 2001 in Barnsley's relegation season. The two teams played out a 2-2 draw. After Darren Barnard and Alex Neil had put Barnsley 1-0 and 2-1 up (Mark Rankine equalising in-between) Richard Cresswell scored a late equaliser to deny Barnsley the maximum points.
Preston however are unbeaten at Deepdale in the League since 16th September LAST YEAR a run of 22games!!!, but The Reds have lost just one of their last five six outings on SKY.
Preston, beating Play-Off Finalists two seasons ago and Semi-Finalists last season have made another good start as they attempt to make it third time lucky in getting to the Premiership.
They are tuck nicely in 5th place after 3 wins and just 1 defeat from their opening 8 matches under new manager Paul Simpson. If they win tonight they will move 3rd for 24 hours at least.
A victory for The Reds would move them above Preston and into the seriously heady heights of 4th until at least 5pm tomorrow! (3rd if they win by 4 clear goals….)
23/8/05 Preston 2 - 2 Barnsley (aet) (League Cup)
Barnsley won 5-4 on penalties
1/4/02 Barnsley 2 - 1 Preston (First Division)
8/11/01 Preston 2 - 2 Barnsley (First Division)
16/4/01 Barnsley 0 - 4 Preston (First Division)
27/10/00 Preston 1 - 2 Barnsley (First Division)
20/2/71 Barnsley 0 - 1 Preston (Division Three)
Overall Record:
Preston Wins: 17
Barnsley Wins: 13
Draws: 10
Preston Goals: 77
Barnsley Goals: 51
Last 6 2006-2007 Results:
Preston:
16/9/06 Derby 1-1 Preston (Championship)
12/9/06 Preston 1-0 West Brom (Championship)
9/9/06 Preston 2-1 Cardiff (Championship)
26/8/06 Southampton 1-1 Preston (Championship)
23/8/06 Port Vale 2-1 Preston (League Cup)
19/8/06 Preston 1-1 QPR (Championship)
W:2 D:3 L:1 F:7 A:6 GD:+1 Points:9
Barnsley:
19/9/06 Barnsley 1-2 MK Dons (League Cup)
16/9/06 Barnsley 1-0 Wolves (Championship)
12/9/06 Burnley 4-2 Barnsley (Championship)
9/9/06 Barnsley 2-2 Stoke (Championship)
26/8/06 Norwich 5-1 Barnsley (Championship)
22/8/06 Blackpool 2-2 Barnsley (aet) Barnsley win 4-2 on pens (League Cup)
W: 2* D:1 L:3 F:9 A:15 GD:-6 Points:4
*= Includes Penalty win
Preston currently lie 5th in the Coca Cola Championship with 13 points from 8 games, 2 points above Barnsley who lie 13th with 11 points from 8 games.