Preston North End vs Middlesbrough. Sky Bet Championship.
DeepdaleAttendance10,990.
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Monday 26 November 2018 18:58, UK
Preston have suffered a major injury blow ahead of Tuesday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Middlesbrough after top scorer Callum Robinson was ruled out for at least three months.
Robinson sustained a hamstring injury in Saturday's 4-1 win over Blackburn and must see a specialist to determine whether an operation will be required. Louis Moult is the natural candidate to replace Robinson after he came off the bench to score his side's third goal and set up the fourth.
Despite a lengthening injury list, boss Alex Neil has received some good news with both Alan Browne and Ben Pearson expected to overcome minor knocks they sustained at the weekend.
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis expects to have a fully-fit squad to choose from for the trip to Deepdale. Saturday's 2-1 win at Brentford extended the Teessiders' unbeaten league run to six games and kept them well in touch with leaders Norwich.
Defender Ryan Shotton is close to regaining full fitness following a knee injury but is unlikely to be risked on Tuesday night. On-loan striker Jordan Hugill will make his first return to his old club since his £10million move from Preston to West Ham in January.
Preston are winless in 12 matches against Middlesbrough (D5 L7) in all competitions since a 1-0 win in January 1987 in the FA Cup.
Middlesbrough haven't lost a league match against Preston since April 1972, when they were beaten 1-0 at Deepdale.
Alex Neil's only victory over Middlesbrough was in the 2014-15 Championship play-off final when he was Norwich manager (2-0).
Middlesbrough have kept more clean sheets than any other team in English league football this season (11).
Preston are unbeaten in each of their last eight games (W4 D4), the current longest streak in the Championship.
David Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
