Doncaster Rovers Vs Preston North End Match Preview
npower League One Tuesday 2nd October 2012
Kick-off: 19:45
Venue: Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Betting Odds: Doncaster 5/4 Draw 12/5 Preston 21/10
Form: Doncaster Rovers LWDDLW Preston North End: WLWLLW
North End got back to winning ways with a victory over Yeovil on Saturday but Tuesday night kicks off a difficult and quite possibly a pivotal month for the Lilywhites.
With just two home games from a possible seven up ahead, a test of North End's metal will be how they follow up the 3-2 win over Yeovil with two initial away trips in the space of a week.
First up is Doncaster Rovers, a side who made an unceremonious return to League One this term after four years in the second tier of English football.
Dean Saunders' side have made a near-identical start to that of Graham Westley's having picked up 14 points and a very similar goal difference.
A win for the Lilywhites could see them return to the top six and, thus, be on course for Westley's targeted top 6 place after 12 games.
Previous Meetings (click here for head-to-head stats)
North End's last trip to the Keepmoat was during the 2010/2011 season, the season which saw the Lilywhites relegated from the Championship.
On the 12th April and with three points a must in their bid to beat the drop, North End fell behind thanks to PNE old boy Brian Stock's strike on 77 minutes.
However, a near instant reply thanks to a collectors item in the form of a Paul Hayes goal salvaged a point for the Lilywhites.
After a 2-0 defeat on the opening day of that season to the South Yorkshire outfit, North End's last win over Rovers dates back to April 2009 which, incidentally, is North End's only win over Donny since their move from Belle Vue to the Keepmoat.
Chris Brown and Neil Mellor were on target for the Lilywhites that afternoon.
Team News
Despite making his comeback from injury against Yeovil on Saturday, full back Keith Keane will have to sit out the trip to the Keepmoat through suspension.
The former Luton man has picked up his fifth yellow card in nine appearances during the aforementioned victory over Yeovil on Saturday.
Australian defender Shane Cansdell-Sheriff is likely to slot in at centre-half with Bailey Wright shifting out to full back in the absence of Keane.
Lee Holmes and Lee Trundle remain out for a number of weeks.
For Rovers, Iain Hume isn't eligible to play due to the terms of his loan deal.
Meanwhile Martin Woods will be looking for a start after making his comeback from injury during Rovers' win over Orient at the weekend.
The former Sunderland trainee twisted his ankle in the defeat to Norwich in the League Cup.
Striker Billy Paynter will also be vying for a start in the absence of Iain Hume.