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Preston v Aston Villa preview

Beckford put Preston 3-0 up just before half-time
Image: Jermaine Beckford: Possible return for Preston

Jermaine Beckford and Paul Gallagher will both be assessed ahead of Preston's Sky Bet Championship clash with Aston Villa at Deepdale.

Gallagher suffered a dead leg against Wigan last Friday which ruled him out of the draw with Birmingham, while Beckford has missed the last five weeks with a hamstring injury.

If he does not make it on Saturday, he should certainly be fit to return after the international break. Marnick Vermijl has a similar injury but he is not in contention.

Tommy Spurr and Liam Grimshaw have both recovered after being sidelined by a bout of flu.

Villa will be without the suspended Leandro Bacuna.

The 25-year-old full-back was shown his fifth yellow card of the campaign during the draw at Barnsley and must serve a one-match ban.

Villa conceded another late goal on Tuesday night as their drawing run reached five Championship matches. Roberto Di Matteo's team have not won a league game in eight outings and the manager may make some changes in search of that elusive victory.

Also See:

Nathan Baker, Rudy Gestede, Ashley Westwood, Alan Hutton, Jordan Amavi and the fit-again Ross McCormack are all options for the Italian.

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