.jpg "First West Lancashire derby for Darren Ferguson as Preston North End host Blackpool FC")
Preston North End boss Darren Ferguson will experience his first West Lancashire derby as his side welcome Blackpool FC.
Ferguson took over at North End last month and has won three on his first five games in charge.
A win would take them above Ian Holloway's Seasiders.
Blackpool's form has dipped worryingly recently and Holloway will be hoping to halt a run of three straight defeats.
Ferguson will be hoping to name an unchanged side given their fine performance against Sheffield United on Tuesday.
On-loan Manchester United youngster Matt James impressed alongside Paul Coutts and the duo look set to again form the central axis in midfield.
Jon Parkin also coordinated effectively with Danny Welbeck in attack while the recalled Chris Sedgwick also shone on the right hand side of midfield.
Midfielder Richard Chaplow (groin) and defender Callum Davidson (concussion) missed out in midweek and will be assessed.
Winger Paul Parry (knee) and midfielder Barry Nicholson (broken leg) remain sidelined.
Blackpool boss Holloway must decide whether to recall any of his suspended trio of Barry Bannan, Neal Eardley and Ishmel Demontagnac, who broke a curfew by visiting a Blackpool nightspot last weekend.
They were subsequently axed for the trip to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, when the Seasiders slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Hillsborough.
In any case, Bannan and Eardley are major doubts for the Deepdale showdown as X-rays have confirmed that the former has a broken toe, while Eardley has a knee problem.
Demontagnac is fully fit and may come back into contention, although Holloway warned: "I don't know whether I'll bring them back for Saturday yet."
Midfielder Charlie Adam is suspended.
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