After a tiring week on the road, Pompey return to Fratton Park to face Preston on Saturday (3pm). Having missed the chance to climb off the foot of the table at Plymouth on Tuesday night, John Mousinho's men will look to record a first home win against another side who would want to be higher in the standings. The visitors are in 20th position following a midweek draw with league leaders Sunderland at Deepdale and only outside the bottom three on goal difference. While they have looked relatively strong on their own patch this term, the Lancashire outfit are yet to taste success on the road. The best that Paul Heckingbottom's men have managed is draws at Middlesbrough, Burnley and Plymouth, while there have been defeats to Swansea, Oxford and Millwall. And North End are currently in the midst of a five-match winless run, which includes a defeat to Premier League giants Arsenal in the Carbao Cup. Heckingbottom, who previously led Sheffield United into the top-flight, took charge after Ryan Lowe choose to step down from his role just one game into the current campaign. This will be the first meeting between the sides since the 2012/13 League One season, with both contests back then finishing all square. TEAM NEWS Jacob Farrell (knee), Paddy Lane (Achilles), Conor Shaughnessy (calf) and Zak Swanson (heel) remain sidelined for Pompey. Ibane Bowat is set to miss the the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, with Colby Bishop continuing his rehabilitation from heart surgery. The visitors are without Patrick Bauer (arm), Robbie Brady (ankle), Ched Evans (knee) and Will Keane (thigh), while Liam Lindsay (groin) is a doubt. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho ahead of the big game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 22 wins Preston: 33 wins 25 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 17 wins Preston: 14 wins 10 draws Last Home Meeting Pompey 0 Preston 0 League One December 15 2012 TICKETS Tickets are on sale here, while the ticket exchange will remain open until two hours before kick-off. Click here to read our matchday guide to find out what is happening around the ground ahead of the game and click here to find out about the pre-match Remembrance commemorations. OFFICIALS Referee: John Busby Assistants: Jonathan Hunt and Shaun Hudson Fourth Official: Charles Breakspear Busby last took charge of Pompey for the goalless draw with Luton at Fratton Park earlier in the season, when he sent off opposition goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski. MATCH COVERAGE Supporters based overseas can watch the game on Pompey+, either through a monthly/annual subscription or by purchasing a match pass. The pre-match show is live before the game for Pompey+ subscribers and overseas fans with a video subscription/match pass. George Wedlake will be joined in the Fratton Park studio by Andy Awford and Danny Rose. Fans can get involved by sending messages and voicenotes to our Pompey+ WhatsApp channel* on +44 7457 413694 or via this link. Please note that the half-time and post-match shows are only available to watch for fans in regions where the game is being shown live on Pompey+. Audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham is available for Pompey+ subscribers or those who purchase an audio subscription/match pass. Click here for more details about using Pompey+, including the answers to some frequently asked questions. Locally-based fans who are not going to the game can listen as always via BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online). *Please note that the WhatsApp service is only for sending messages to appear on the matchday show. The club will not be able to reply to any messages.
Preston North End Starting Line Up:- Woodman; Storey, Jack Whatmough, Hughes, Potts, Whiteman (c), McCann, Kesler-Hayden, Holmes, Greenwood, Riis. Subs:- Cornell, Best, Ledson, Thordarson, Frokjaer, Bowler, Okkels, Nelson, Stewart.
One big surprise/shock is the return of striker Colby Bishop on the bench, after being out all season up to now, recuperating from his heart operation pre season! Boy, haven't we missed him - great to see him back! Defender Tom McIntyre drops to the bench, and it looks like Connor Ogilvie will play alongside Regan Poole at centre half, with Terry Devlin at right back replacing Jordan Williams who got injured at Plymouth, and Josh Murphy (?) as a left wing back. Returning to Fratton Park with Preston, is our ex-player Jack Whatmough at centre half.
They have just said that Pompey were able to register Colby Bishop to play with the EFL, in place of Ibane Bowat who has been out injured all season.
Matt Ritchie hits the woodwork with a right footed shot from the centre of the box from a direct free kick. 14 minutes. Connor Ogilvie left footed shot from the centre of the box goes wide. 15 minutes.
Marlon Pack header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Freddie Potts with a cross. 17 minutes.
Freddie Potts shot goes over the bar. Andre Dozzell's pass to Josh Murphy, and his cross goes to Potts. 28 minutes.
