City relishing Preston challenge

With Leicester City manager Rob Kelly reportedly involved in talks with the Board about a new contract, the players are focusing on another potentially notable scalp.

Preston North End will become the third successive top six team to visit the Walkers in the last three weeks on Saturday following champions Reading and fifth placed Crystal Palace.

And Leicester will be keen to make life just as hard for the seasiders as for the other two.

Indeed, Leicester have been a challenge to all the top six these recent months.

Leicester have taken a point at Deepdale already, beaten Palace at home, drawn with Leeds despite having only 10 men, taken four points out of six off Watford, beaten Sheffield United at home and come with five minutes of taking all three points off Reading.

Rob Kelly admits he would like Preston to go up – he knew their manager Billy Davies well from his time at Blackburn – but not with any help from City and the visitors have been stretched for personnel lately.

Adam Nowlands is out with a broken leg, Dave Nugent has a broken 5th metatarsal, ex-Leicester defender Callum Davidson has ligament damage and Danny Dichio is a couple of weeks from being fit.

Brian O’Neil is expected to be missing with hamstring trouble as is Marcus Stewart. Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has cruciate ligament problems and there are other injury concerns on top.

For all that Preston are certain to provide stern opposition.

Leicester will be missing suspended centre-back Paddy McCarthy, pointing to a probable recall for Patrik Gerrbrand and full-back Richard Stearman remains doubtful.

Click club forums, click 100% football for fans chat. Click vital links, click Football Leagues for other club sites.