Preston North End Vs Reading Match Preview

By Mark Sugar
March 1 2004

Reading face a long journey up north tomorrow night as they take on Craig Brown's Preston North End side at Deepdale.The Royals have lost only 1 out of the last 7 in the league and picked up 3 points against fellow promotion rivals Sheffield United on Saturday.A crucial game for Reading.

Preston North End Vs Reading
Tuesday,2nd March 2004
Nationwide League Division 1
Deepdale Stadium,Preston
Kick Off 19:45pm

Team News
Greame Murty is rated doubtful for the clash with North End after being stretched off with a twisted knee in the 2-1 victory over Sheffield United.Should Murty not be fit,Ricky Newman will deputise at right back.
Kevin Watson and Steve Brown have both made good progress following their injuries but won't be fit for the clash tomorrow evening.
Loan signing Paul Brooker will be on the bench again after not playing any part in Saturday's game.John Salako will continue as the left winger.
Nicky Forster hasn't made the progress as the club hoped form his stomach injury.Lloyd Owusu and Shaun Goater will continue up front.
Scott Murray will be on the bench again as Andy Hughes plays in the right wing spot.He has started the last 4 games there.
Joe Gamble,Jamie Ashdown and Nathan Tyson are all currently out on loan at the moment so they will not play any part.

For Preston North End,Craig Brown can welcome back Lee Briscoe after a long injury lay off.But its expected that Briscoe won't play any part tomorrow evening and instead be used for the derby game Vs Burnley this Saturday.
Also back is goalkeeper David Lucas and could come straight into the side as 1st Choice goalkeeper Johnathan Gauld has suffered a reoccurence of a groin injury.
Another player back is Dickson Etuhu but like Briscoe he shall be rested for the game and take part instead in the match with Burnley.
But out for the Lilywhites is Robert Edwards,Chris Lucketti,Paul McKenna and also South African star George Koumantarkis.All have long term injuries.

KEY PLAYER FOR PRESTON NORTH END:Ricardo Fuller

Referee: Mike Jones (Chester)

Form Guide
The Royals go into the match on decent form.They picked up a brilliant victory over Sheffield United on Saturday with goals from Nicky Shorey and Shaun Goater.
North End were beaten by fellow promotion rivals Ipswich on Saturday at Portman Road.

Previous Meetings
18/10/2003 Reading 3-2 Preston
15/04/2003 Reading 5-1 Preston
26/10/2002 Preston 1-0 Reading
05/02/2000 Preston 2-2 Reading
01/09/1999 Reading 2-2 Preston
20/02/1999 Reading 2-1 Preston
12/09/1998 Preston 4-0 Reading
20/02/1993 Reading 4-0 Preston
20/10/1992 Preston 2-0 Reading

Thanks to www.soccer-stats.com for the above information.

Tickets and Travel
The Royals were allocated 1,863 Tickets priced at:
£16 Adults
£11 Over 65's
£8.50 Under 16's
Tickets for disabled supporters and helpers are priced at £9 each.
STAR Coach Travel is leaving the Madejski Stadium at 12:45pm and from Station Hill at 13:00pm.Coach travel is priced £18 but this is SOLD OUT

Division 1 Fixtures
Tuesday 2nd March 2004
Bradford City Vs Watford 19:45
Walsall Vs Sunderland 19:45
Wimbledon Vs Nottm Forest 19:45
Burnley Vs West Ham Utd 19:45
Cardiff City Vs Coventry City 19:45
Gillingham Vs Wigan Athletic 19:45
Norwich Vs West Brom 19:45
Preston Vs Reading 19:45
Rotherham Utd Vs Crystal Palace 19:45
Sheff Utd Vs Millwall 19:45
Stoke City Vs Ipswich Town 19:45

Wednesday 3rd March 2004
Derby County Vs Crewe 19:45