The latest West Brom news as the Baggies travel to Deepdale for to take on Ryan Lowe’s high flying side.
The Baggies are looking to halt a run of four games without a win. Their last outing saw them record a 0-0 draw against Millwall at the Hawthorns.
Preston, meanwhile, remain the only side in the Championship yet to be beaten in the league. The Lilywhites are currently in third place in the table, behind Leicester City and Ipswich following a 1-1 draw with Rotherham in their last outing last weekend.
Both teams will look to get back to winning ways on Saturday. With that in mind, here is the build-up to the match from both camps, including team news and what the managers have had to say.
Preston have been given a boost ahead of the game with last season’s top scorer Will Keane returning to full training ahead of the match. “Keano will join in with the group today and that’s it really,” Preston boss Ryan Lowe said in his pre-match press conference (via the Lancashire Post ).
“He’s been with the rehab team and finished his rehab yesterday. Today will be his first day joining the group, so really pleased to have him back.
“We will monitor him over the next couple of days and see where he’s at. If he is fit and ready and available then why not? (for Saturday). He’ll have to come through today and tomorrow of course, but the more attacking players you’ve got – Keano is our leading goal scorer so if he’s fit and ready he’ll be called upon, definitely yeah.”
Preston will still be without Emil Reiss and Ched Evans as they continue their rehab from injury. Liverpool loanee Calvin Ramsey is another player who will also be missing, having not yet kicked a ball for his loan club.
West Brom are poised to make a late call on defender Semi Ajayi, after he suffered an ankle injury in last week’s draw vs Millwall. The player has been training alone this week, but is set to rejoin the squad today (Friday).
Erik Pieters is set to be available after being taken off vs Millwall. “Fortunately Pieters asked for a change but not for an injury, he was just feeling tired with the muscle, you can expect when playing three games in a row, especially 90 minutes against Watford with not a lot of recovery time,” Corberan explained . “He only missed one training but he was doing normal training Wednesday and Thursday was a normal plan with the group, he will train today.
“Ajayi was a little bit different, in one of the last actions of the game he turned his ankle and couldn’t train with the group, but he will train today and depending on training today we will make a decision.”
Albion remain without Josh Maja, who has suffered a serious ankle ligament injury. He is expected to be out until the middle of November.
BetWay have Preston to win at odds of 7/5, while a draw is at 21/10 and a West Brom win at 19/10. The most likely outcome in terms of scoreline is said to be a 1-1 draw, which is at odds of 5/1.
Meanwhile the most unlikely outcomes are a 5-2 win for Preston (200/1), or a 5-1 win for West Brom (200/1). Upon his return from injury Will Keane is rated as the most likely goalscorer (7/4) for Preston, with Brandon Thomas-Asante (12/5) most likely to score for Albion (12/5).