12-09-2025, 10:16
Team News
After missing the Portsmouth match before the international break, Alfie Devine has returned to training and will be back available for selection.
There will likely be a late decision made on whether to use Milutin Osmajić or not. Manager Paul Heckingbottom says the striker has “recovered well” from his rib injury and could make the weekend, but he may need a few more days to recover.
Brad Potts, Jordan Thompson, Robbie Brady and Will Keane remain sidelined.
The Visitors
[
Since his appointment in the summer following the departure of Michael Carrick, Rob Edwards has enjoyed a perfect start to life at the Riverside.
Boro are the only Championship side to have won all four of their opening fixtures, with the Teessiders coming out on top against Swansea City, Millwall, Norwich City and Sheffield United.
The travelling fans will be hoping to get their eyes on the club’s deadline day signings, with Slovakian striker David Strelec arriving fresh from a wonder-strike against Germany during the break, meanwhile former North End captain Alan Browne will be in contention to make his debut.
Match Officials
[
Referee: Thomas Kirk
Assistant Referees: Sam Lewis and Lee Venamore
Fourth Official: Aaron Bannister
Thomas Kirk will take charge of the first Preston North End fixture of his career on Saturday.
Kirk, who has been officiating in the EFL since 2022, has refereed four matches so far this season, showing 22 yellow cards in four matches.
We’ve Met Before
Stefán Thórdarson and Emil Riis were on the scoresheet in North End’s last match against Middlesbrough in January 2025.
Phase 2 of the season begins, hopefully better than the hapless sap who said that last week, toughie against the Boro, good news Edwards has got manager of the month which is always a curse.
It's on the telebox, clashes though with Pickering Town against Runcorn Linnets on the BBC red button, for those not going choose wisely
After missing the Portsmouth match before the international break, Alfie Devine has returned to training and will be back available for selection.
There will likely be a late decision made on whether to use Milutin Osmajić or not. Manager Paul Heckingbottom says the striker has “recovered well” from his rib injury and could make the weekend, but he may need a few more days to recover.
Brad Potts, Jordan Thompson, Robbie Brady and Will Keane remain sidelined.
The Visitors
[
Since his appointment in the summer following the departure of Michael Carrick, Rob Edwards has enjoyed a perfect start to life at the Riverside.
Boro are the only Championship side to have won all four of their opening fixtures, with the Teessiders coming out on top against Swansea City, Millwall, Norwich City and Sheffield United.
The travelling fans will be hoping to get their eyes on the club’s deadline day signings, with Slovakian striker David Strelec arriving fresh from a wonder-strike against Germany during the break, meanwhile former North End captain Alan Browne will be in contention to make his debut.
Match Officials
[
Referee: Thomas Kirk
Assistant Referees: Sam Lewis and Lee Venamore
Fourth Official: Aaron Bannister
Thomas Kirk will take charge of the first Preston North End fixture of his career on Saturday.
Kirk, who has been officiating in the EFL since 2022, has refereed four matches so far this season, showing 22 yellow cards in four matches.
We’ve Met Before
Stefán Thórdarson and Emil Riis were on the scoresheet in North End’s last match against Middlesbrough in January 2025.
Phase 2 of the season begins, hopefully better than the hapless sap who said that last week, toughie against the Boro, good news Edwards has got manager of the month which is always a curse.
It's on the telebox, clashes though with Pickering Town against Runcorn Linnets on the BBC red button, for those not going choose wisely
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?