Byrom in contention Joel Byrom is pushing for his first Preston start when Graham Westley's men look to make it six games unbeaten in all competitions at Crawley. A hamstring injury sustained during August's pre-season friendly against Leeds meant Byrom's introduction as a half-time substitute for Keith Keane in last weekend's 2-1 win over Bury was his competitive bow. Westley credited Byrom with improving North End's quality on the ball and he is set to be involved once more when the club meet Crawley for the first time. "It's a huge boost to have Joel back," the manager told the Lancashire Evening Post. "Watching him, you wouldn't think he had been out for four weeks with a hamstring injury. "I thought he got us playing in the second half at Bury, our possession was much better. When you give Joel the ball he will retain it for us, he will build play, be creative and threaten going forward." Lee Holmes (gashed leg) and Lee Trundle (knee) remain on the sidelines. Crawley will be without Josh Simpson and Hope Akpan through suspension. The midfield duo serve one-match bans after they were sent off either side of half-time as Town crashed 3-0 at home to Portsmouth on Sunday. Crowd favourite Dannie Bulman will step into one of the central spots while Billy Clarke or Scott Neilson could come into the starting line-up. Defender Claude Davis will be checked over having failed to recover from a hip problem at the weekend while winger Sergio Torres is another week away from a return with a leg injury. Skipper Gary Alexander will be fit to continue up front despite suffering a nasty cut to the head which briefly meant the Reds were down to eight men against Pompey.
Source: PA
