Preston V Bournemouth at Deepdale : Match Preview

15 February 2013 12:01
Preston V Bournemouth - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Dreyer takes charge for Cherries clash

Caretaker manager John Dreyer takes charge of Preston for the first time against npower League One leaders Bournemouth.

Dreyer has been given the added responsibility after Graham Westley departed on Wednesday following a run of seven matches without a win.

The 49-year-old has Bailey Wright available after a one-match suspension. The Australian defender was sent off in the 1-0 defeat to struggling Colchester.

However, North End have concerns over a number of unidentified players who sustained knocks in Westley's final game, the 3-1 defeat at Yeovil, and Dreyer will have to wait on late fitness checks before naming his team.

Stuart Beavon, Joel Byrom and Jack King all remain on the sidelines along with John Mousinho (hamstring) and Scott Laird (broken leg).

On-loan Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd was handed a debut against the Glovers and may retain his place.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is sweating over the fitness of flu-victim Marc Pugh for the trip.

Pugh, a regular in the Cherries side that has climbed to the top of the npower League One table, has been suffering this week and missed the victory over Crewe.

Stand-in captain Tommy Elphick is likely to miss out again with a knee injury sustained in the victory over MK Dons.

Fellow defender Charlie Daniels has missed the Cherries' last four matches with a persistent foot problem and looks like missing out again, with Matt Ritchie set to deputise at left-back once more for Howe's men.

Daniels could be ruled out for the rest of the season if he needs to undergo an operation to cure the problem.

Scottish winger Ryan Fraser was back on the bench on Tuesday having been missing since his move from Aberdeen last month and is likely to be involved again as the Cherries look to win their sixth successive match.

Source: PA