04-01-2024, 17:44
Who’s Available?
Ryan Lowe should be able to choose from the same squad which was named at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, with the potential addition of Robbie Brady.
The left-sider went off injured in the defeat to Swansea City on 22nd December and missed the next three fixtures, but he returned to training on Thursday and will be assessed ahead of the weekend.
Jack Whatmough will miss out for the second successive match due to a knee injury, with the club waiting for a second opinion on that particular issue.
Opposition Focus
Chelsea, under new management in Mauricio Pochettino this season, currently sit tenth in the Premier League and head into the weekend following back-to-back wins.
The Stamford Bridge side had a busy summer, bringing a number of players in for big-money fees, including the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
The latter will be unavailable due to involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, while they also have a number of injury concerns, however Ben Chilwell may be back involved for the first time since September after being pictured in training.
Match Officials
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistant Referees: Wade Smith and Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Keith Stroud
VAR: Tony Harrington
Support VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood
Thomas Bramall, who refereed PNE’s Lancashire derby victory over Blackburn Rovers in November, will take charge of this match. Bramall has refereed 14 matches so far this season, showing 59 yellow cards and one red.
Saturday will also be the first time VAR has been used in a North End fixture, with Tony Harrington the main official behind the technology.
MACS VIEW
Well he's not yet been sacked, he's now blaming the press for apparently mis quoting him on his comments re the Cup tie, his comments about knowing they had lost by haf time on Monday, should have also brought the sack.
Two polls conducted both gave that over 90% wanted him potted.
Better play a full strength team otherwise the atmosphere could be extremely poisonous, his time should be approaching the end, but have those behind the scenes got the bollocks to do it
Ryan Lowe should be able to choose from the same squad which was named at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, with the potential addition of Robbie Brady.
The left-sider went off injured in the defeat to Swansea City on 22nd December and missed the next three fixtures, but he returned to training on Thursday and will be assessed ahead of the weekend.
Jack Whatmough will miss out for the second successive match due to a knee injury, with the club waiting for a second opinion on that particular issue.
Opposition Focus
Chelsea, under new management in Mauricio Pochettino this season, currently sit tenth in the Premier League and head into the weekend following back-to-back wins.
The Stamford Bridge side had a busy summer, bringing a number of players in for big-money fees, including the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
The latter will be unavailable due to involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, while they also have a number of injury concerns, however Ben Chilwell may be back involved for the first time since September after being pictured in training.
Match Officials
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistant Referees: Wade Smith and Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Keith Stroud
VAR: Tony Harrington
Support VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood
Thomas Bramall, who refereed PNE’s Lancashire derby victory over Blackburn Rovers in November, will take charge of this match. Bramall has refereed 14 matches so far this season, showing 59 yellow cards and one red.
Saturday will also be the first time VAR has been used in a North End fixture, with Tony Harrington the main official behind the technology.
MACS VIEW
Well he's not yet been sacked, he's now blaming the press for apparently mis quoting him on his comments re the Cup tie, his comments about knowing they had lost by haf time on Monday, should have also brought the sack.
Two polls conducted both gave that over 90% wanted him potted.
Better play a full strength team otherwise the atmosphere could be extremely poisonous, his time should be approaching the end, but have those behind the scenes got the bollocks to do it
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?